Massage Therapist Salary in Duluth, MN: $63,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Duluth, MN earns a median $63,141/year (≈ $30.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $71,130 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Duluth, Minnesota, massage therapists can expect a median annual salary of $63,141 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $61,975. The salary range for this profession varies widely, from $46,791 at the low end (P10) to $91,631 for those at the top of the pay scale (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate a healthy job market for massage therapists in the area. Those considering a career in this field must balance the benefits of self-employment, which can yield higher hourly rates, against the challenges of managing overhead and marketing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,791 | $22.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,641 | $27.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,141 | $30.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,631 | $44.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,631 | $44.06 |
Median Salary Position
1.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,840 (2026 est.). At $63,141, the local median is 1.88% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Duluth median: $63,141/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,065 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +1.88% more |
Massage Therapists in Duluth, MN earn a median of $63,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 3.40% above the Minnesota state average of $61,065.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $63,141 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,130 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,060
2025 BLS Actual
$59,550
2026 Current Est.
$63,141
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,793 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 16.6% from $51,060 (2019) to $59,550 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,888 (31.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,791 – $56,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,641 – $63,141 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,141 – $91,631 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,631 – $91,631 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Duluth
With approximately 90 massage therapists employed in Duluth, the local market exhibits a solid demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in Duluth sits at 88.768, which can enhance the purchasing power of earnings in comparison to many urban centers. Among the various employment opportunities, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics often provide competitive salaries, while franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone may offer steadier bookings but generally lower pay. The disparity in earnings between self-employed therapists and those on a salary stems from factors such as session fees versus hourly rates, tips (often around 15-25%), and specialties like prenatal or sports massage that command higher prices. For massage therapists aiming to increase their pay in Duluth, establishing a loyal client base through effective marketing and potentially specializing in lucrative niches can be key strategies for maximizing income.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,550 for massage therapistsin the Duluth metropolitan area. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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