Massage Therapist Salary in Montclair, NJ: $70,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Montclair, NJ earns a median $70,690/year (≈ $33.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Montclair's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $61,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Montclair, New Jersey, the projected earnings for massage therapists in 2026 are quite favorable, with a median salary reaching $70,690. Compared to the national median of $61,975, this represents an attractive 14.06% premium. Those in the field can expect a salary range from $41,416 at the lower end (P10) to $109,570 at the upper level (P90). These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, factoring in regional cost adjustments. Considering Montclair’s local market dynamics, the potential for self-employed massage therapists to earn higher cash-pay rates exists, albeit with the challenge of handling overhead costs and marketing efforts.
About the Montclair Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,416 | $19.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,422 | $26.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,690 | $33.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,484 | $43.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,570 | $52.68 |
Median Salary Position
14.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montclair
In Montclair, NJ, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,154 (2026 est.). At $70,690, the local median is 14.06% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montclair: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montclair Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Montclair median: $70,690/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montclair Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $71,404 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +14.06% more |
Massage Therapists in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $70,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $71,404.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montclair has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montclair, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,690 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,363 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,842
2025 BLS Actual
$66,670
2026 Current Est.
$70,690
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,754 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,872 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,313 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montclair metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $48,842 (2019) to $66,670 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,111 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montclair 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) | $41,416 – $55,422 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,422 – $70,690 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,690 – $90,484 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,484 – $109,570 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Montclair
With ten massage therapists currently employed in Montclair, the local job market exhibits a niche demand amidst the cost of living index set at 115.2—indicating a higher-than-average expense for products and services. In this context, therapists affiliated with chiropractic or physical therapy clinics often command the highest salaries, as wellness services increasingly encompass rehabilitative care. Conversely, those working in franchise establishments, such as Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, encounter lower base pay—often tied to commission structures and tips. The variation in compensation can be significant, stemming from factors like specialization in high-demand fields (oncology, sports, prenatal) or choosing to practice independently. To maximize earnings in Montclair, therapists should consider building a personal brand, offering niche services, and leveraging client relationships to increase repeat business and tip income.
More salary data for Montclair, NJ:
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 $66,670 for massage therapistsin the Montclair 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 Montclair 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