Massage Therapist Salary in Minnesota: $73,979 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $73,979/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,106 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($75,340), St. Paul ($74,584), Bloomington ($74,005).
The projected average median salary for massage therapists in Minnesota in 2026 is $73,978, surpassing the national median of $61,975 by 19.4%. Minneapolis offers the highest salary at $79,883, while St. Cloud has the lowest at $54,881, creating a salary gap of $24,999. This difference is largely driven by the concentration of clientele and the cost of living in larger metropolitan areas, as well as the demand for wellness services. Minnesota’s landscape includes specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that professionals must navigate, essential in maintaining standards in the field. The anticipated growth rate for massage therapy jobs in the state is 6.03% annually, reflecting a steady increase in demand for wellness and therapeutic services. The total number of employed massage therapists in Minnesota is projected at 1,960, highlighting a healthy job market. Top projected salaries in the state include St. Paul at $79,081, Bloomington at $78,468, Duluth at $63,141, and Maple Grove at $61,873. These figures underscore the diversity in earning potential across different regions, driven by local market conditions and demand for services. Overall, Minnesota's massage therapy profession is positioned well for future growth and stability.
Minnesota Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $24,546 (lowest entry-level) to $122,576 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota massage therapists earn 19.37% more than the national median (+$12,004/year difference).
Minnesota Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Minnesota range from $45,272 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $111,097 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,979. The Minnesota median is $12,004 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $35.57/hr. Approximately 1,960 massage therapists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,753
2025 BLS Actual
$69,771
2026 Current Est.
$73,979
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,753 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,928 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,886 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,463 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,979 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,439 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 40.2% from $49,753 (2019) to $69,771 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,439 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,686 (57.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | $79,081 | 98.5 | $80,285 |
| Bloomington | $78,468 | 98.5 | $79,663 |
| Minneapolis | $79,883 | 104.822 | $76,208 |
| Duluth | $63,141 | 88.768 | $71,130 |
| Rochester | $59,610 | 90.821 | $65,635 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,272 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,979 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $111,097 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $79,883 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $79,081 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $78,468 |
| 4 | Duluth | $63,141 |
| 5 | Maple Grove | $61,873 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $61,848 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $61,790 |
| 8 | Owatonna | $60,599 |
| 9 | Brooklyn Park | $60,519 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $60,413 |
| 11 | Roseville | $60,377 |
| 12 | Chaska | $60,329 |
| 13 | Minnetonka | $60,316 |
| 14 | Cottage Grove | $60,248 |
| 15 | Burnsville | $60,200 |
| 16 | Lakeville | $59,977 |
| 17 | Chanhassen | $59,936 |
| 18 | Inver Grove Heights | $59,841 |
| 19 | Eagan | $59,833 |
| 20 | Brooklyn Center | $59,817 |
| 21 | Elk River | $59,808 |
| 22 | Prior Lake | $59,746 |
| 23 | Rochester | $59,610 |
| 24 | Ramsey | $59,528 |
| 25 | Blaine | $59,276 |
| 26 | Apple Valley | $59,185 |
| 27 | Shakopee | $59,126 |
| 28 | Coon Rapids | $59,117 |
| 29 | Savage | $59,022 |
| 30 | Edina | $59,015 |
| 31 | Maplewood | $58,841 |
| 32 | Andover | $58,828 |
| 33 | Richfield | $58,799 |
| 34 | St. Louis Park | $58,794 |
| 35 | Moorhead | $58,709 |
| 36 | Mankato | $58,695 |
| 37 | Northfield | $58,284 |
| 38 | Hastings | $58,160 |
| 39 | Fridley | $57,899 |
| 40 | Winona | $57,851 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $57,828 |
| 42 | Austin | $57,738 |
| 43 | Faribault | $57,664 |
| 44 | St. Cloud | $54,881 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Minnesota?
How many massage therapists are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota 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 Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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