Massage Therapist Salary in Salem, NH: $64,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Salem, NH earns a median $64,894/year (≈ $31.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $60,479 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average massage therapist salary in Salem, NH is projected to be $64,894, surpassing the national median of $61,975 by 4.71%. With salaries ranging from $37,639 at the lower end to $100,585 for those at the higher end of the spectrum, the pay structure reflects both the competitive nature and demand for skilled therapists in the local market. Typical employers include franchises such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which may offer lower pay due to their operational models, while independent and self-employed therapists often earn higher rates but bear additional costs associated with running their own practice. This salary data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level information and adjusted for regional pricing variations, indicates a robust employment landscape for massage therapists in Salem.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,639 | $18.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,214 | $22.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,894 | $31.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,064 | $39.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,585 | $48.36 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,946 (2026 est.). At $64,894, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Salem median: $64,894/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $66,489 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +4.71% more |
Massage Therapists in Salem, NH earn a median of $64,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $66,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,894 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,479 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,837
2025 BLS Actual
$61,203
2026 Current Est.
$64,894
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,837 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,119 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,208 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,915 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,449 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $44,837 (2019) to $61,203 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,970 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $37,639 – $47,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,214 – $64,894 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,894 – $83,064 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,064 – $100,585 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Salem
The local job market for massage therapists consists of around 8 professionals, which, while limited, indicates existing demand for skilled practitioners. The cost of living index in Salem stands at 107.3, suggesting that while salaries might be competitive, take-home income should be assessed in the context of local living expenses. Among various employment settings, chiropractic clinics and reputable spas typically offer the highest compensation. Factors contributing to income disparity include the traditional tipping culture at spas, specialty services like oncology or sports massage, and the difference between hourly wages versus per-service compensation in franchise settings. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Salem, pursuing certifications that allow for niche specialization can be advantageous, as can building a loyal client base through self-promotion and social media engagement.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
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 $61,203 for massage therapistsin the Salem 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
Salary data for Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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