Massage Therapist Salary in Michigan: $73,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Michigan's 53 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $73,555/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Michigan sits at BEA RPP 93.2 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $78,922 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lansing ($74,880), East Lansing ($74,248), Flint ($72,100).
In Michigan, the projected average median salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $73,555, which is 18.7% higher than the national median of $61,975. This indicates a strong earning potential within the state. The difference in salaries across various cities is significant; Lansing, the highest-paying city for this profession, is projected to offer $79,395, while Portage, the lowest, has a projected salary of $51,700. Factors contributing to this salary gap include local demand, cost of living, and the availability of high-end wellness centers in certain areas. Michigan's licensing requirements for massage therapists are governed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which mandates completion of an accredited program and passing a certification exam. The state's scope of practice laws also influence how therapists can operate, which can impact earnings potential. With a projected growth rate of 6.03% for the profession through 2026, the job market outlook appears favorable, indicating increasing demand for massage therapy services. Major cities such as East Lansing ($78,725), Flint ($76,448), Clinton Township ($75,673), and Detroit ($75,239) are also expected to offer strong opportunities for employment, reflecting the overall health and demand for massage therapies in Michigan.
Michigan Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Michigan: $27,525 (lowest entry-level) to $122,024 (highest top earner)
Michigan vs National Average
Michigan massage therapists earn 18.68% more than the national median (+$11,580/year difference).
Michigan Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Michigan range from $36,583 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,030 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,555. The Michigan median is $11,580 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $35.36/hr. Approximately 2,577 massage therapists are employed across 53 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,218
2025 BLS Actual
$69,372
2026 Current Est.
$73,555
2019–2027 Growth
+61.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Michigan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,218 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,206 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,914 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,451 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,372 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Michigan metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 43.9% from $48,218 (2019) to $69,372 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,773 (61.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Michigan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Michigan
Lowest Paying Cities in Michigan
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Michigan
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Michigan cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Lansing | $78,725 | 93.2 | $84,469 |
| Lansing | $79,395 | 94.991 | $83,582 |
| Flint | $76,448 | 93.034 | $82,172 |
| Clinton Township | $75,673 | 93.2 | $81,194 |
| Dearborn | $74,851 | 93.2 | $80,312 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Michigan
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,583 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,555 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,030 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Michigan metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 53 Cities in Michigan
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | $79,395 |
| 2 | East Lansing | $78,725 |
| 3 | Flint | $76,448 |
| 4 | Clinton Township | $75,673 |
| 5 | Detroit | $75,239 |
| 6 | Dearborn | $74,851 |
| 7 | Sterling Heights | $74,720 |
| 8 | Warren | $74,586 |
| 9 | Battle Creek | $74,081 |
| 10 | West Bloomfield | $73,965 |
| 11 | Shelby Township | $73,797 |
| 12 | Niles | $73,776 |
| 13 | Troy | $73,641 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $73,496 |
| 15 | Westland | $73,449 |
| 16 | Farmington Hills | $73,293 |
| 17 | Dearborn Heights | $73,131 |
| 18 | Southfield | $72,991 |
| 19 | Macomb Township | $72,835 |
| 20 | St. Clair Shores | $72,754 |
| 21 | Rochester Hills | $72,713 |
| 22 | Bay City | $72,653 |
| 23 | Grand Rapids | $72,599 |
| 24 | Taylor | $72,511 |
| 25 | Port Huron | $72,306 |
| 26 | Royal Oak | $72,290 |
| 27 | Lincoln Park | $72,238 |
| 28 | Jackson | $72,176 |
| 29 | Livonia | $72,093 |
| 30 | Canton | $71,554 |
| 31 | Novi | $71,531 |
| 32 | Auburn Hills | $71,460 |
| 33 | Waterford | $71,421 |
| 34 | Muskegon | $71,330 |
| 35 | Kentwood | $71,313 |
| 36 | Roseville | $71,289 |
| 37 | Garden City | $71,148 |
| 38 | Allen Park | $70,722 |
| 39 | Pontiac | $70,673 |
| 40 | Marquette | $70,489 |
| 41 | Norton Shores | $70,472 |
| 42 | Inkster | $70,378 |
| 43 | Saginaw | $70,075 |
| 44 | Midland | $69,966 |
| 45 | Holland | $69,938 |
| 46 | Ferndale | $69,454 |
| 47 | Traverse City | $69,261 |
| 48 | Mount Pleasant | $68,271 |
| 49 | Ypsilanti | $68,072 |
| 50 | Romulus | $67,681 |
| 51 | Ann Arbor | $64,010 |
| 52 | Kalamazoo | $53,026 |
| 53 | Portage | $51,700 |
More Michigan Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Compare Cities in Michigan
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Michigan in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Michigan?
How does Michigan massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Michigan?
How many massage therapists are employed in Michigan?
Which Michigan city offers the best value for massage therapists?
Written by Jordan Lee, LMT
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Michigan. State averages are employment-weighted across 53 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov