Massage Therapist Salary in Bozeman, MT: $90,836 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Bozeman, MT earns a median $90,836/year (≈ $43.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $88,612 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 52.4% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals in the massage therapy field in Bozeman, MT, are projected to earn a median salary of $90,836, significantly higher than the national median of $61,975, highlighting the lucrative nature of this profession in the region. Salary ranges for massage therapists in the area vary widely, with entry-level positions starting around $24,631 and experienced therapists earning up to $103,740. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a strong job market for massage therapists, influenced by a mix of employment settings. While franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer lower pay scales due to established systems of consistent appointments, self-employed therapists may command higher hourly rates directly from clients, allowing for greater income potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,631 | $11.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,322 | $24.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,836 | $43.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,181 | $49.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,740 | $49.88 |
Median Salary Position
46.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,109 (2026 est.). At $90,836, the local median is 46.57% above the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Bozeman: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Bozeman Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $90,836/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $59,604 | +52.40% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +46.57% more |
Massage Therapists in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $90,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.57% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 52.40% above the Montana state average of $59,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 2.51% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,836 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,612 — a 2.45% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,761
2025 BLS Actual
$85,670
2026 Current Est.
$90,836
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,761 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,934 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,756 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,836 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,313 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $62,761 (2019) to $85,670 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,313 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,552 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $24,631 – $50,322 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,322 – $90,836 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,836 – $102,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,181 – $103,740 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Bozeman
Despite the promise of strong earnings, the local job market comprises only about 40 employed massage therapists, which underscores the competitive nature of the industry. The cost of living in Bozeman, with a CoL index of 102.51, adds another layer to financial considerations, as higher living costs can erode purchasing power despite substantial salaries. Among local employers, independent practitioners and specialty practices in areas like sports medicine or oncology tend to offer higher compensation when compared to mid-tier or franchise salons. Therapists can maximize their income by focusing on niche markets, building a loyal clientele, and capitalizing on tipping, which often adds 15-25% to service income. Understanding the balance between franchised employment and self-employed opportunities is crucial for navigating the potential earnings in the Bozeman massage therapy market.
More salary data for Bozeman, MT:
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 $85,670 for massage therapistsin the Bozeman 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, 2-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