Massage Therapist Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $79,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Minneapolis, MN earns a median $79,883/year (≈ $38.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Minneapolis's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.8), that paycheck buys what $76,208 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 30.9% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Minneapolis, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $79,883, significantly higher than the national median of $61,975. This robust figure reflects the city's unique market dynamics, including the potential for tip income that many therapists earn while working in spas, which can often reach 15-25% of the session fee. With a salary range stretching from $49,781 at the 10th percentile to $118,637 at the 90th percentile, there is considerable earning potential in this profession. Such figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcasing a thriving job market for massage therapy in this urban setting.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,781 | $23.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,883 | $38.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,881 | $41.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,637 | $57.03 |
Median Salary Position
28.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, MN, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,856 (2026 est.). At $79,883, the local median is 28.9% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Minneapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Minneapolis Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Minneapolis median: $79,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minneapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,026 | +30.90% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +28.90% more |
Massage Therapists in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $79,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.90% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 30.90% above the Minnesota state average of $61,026.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minneapolis has a cost of living 4.82% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minneapolis, MN has a cost-of-living index of 104.822 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,883 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,208 — a 4.6% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,560
2025 BLS Actual
$75,340
2026 Current Est.
$79,883
2019–2027 Growth
+67.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 49.0% from $50,560 (2019) to $75,340 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,140 (67.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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) | $49,781 – $62,420 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,420 – $79,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,883 – $86,881 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,881 – $118,637 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, there are approximately 1,290 massage therapists actively contributing to the local economy, a figure that indicates a healthy demand for these professionals. However, the cost of living index sits at 104.822, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be tempered by higher living costs. Among various employers, spas tend to offer lower pay rates compared to chiropractic clinics or hospitals that may provide integrative medicine programs. The considerable pay disparity exists between employed therapists and those who operate independently, where self-employed professionals can command higher rates but must also manage their own expenses and marketing. Strategies for enhancing earnings include specializing in areas like oncology or sports massage and maximizing tip income through excellent service at established spas. Understanding these nuances can significantly influence how much massage therapists make in Minneapolis and their overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Minneapolis, 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 $75,340 for massage therapistsin the Minneapolis 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, 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