Massage Therapist Salary in New Mexico: $45,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $45,789/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,505 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Las Cruces ($57,006), Rio Rancho ($56,792), Farmington ($54,380).
In 2026, the average median salary for massage therapists in New Mexico is projected to be $45,789, significantly lower than the national median of $61,975, resulting in a disparity of -26.1%. The city of Las Cruces offers the highest salary at $60,443, while Albuquerque presents the lowest at $38,637. This salary gap of $21,806 can be attributed to varying demand, cost of living, and the concentration of clientele in different regions. New Mexico's licensing requirements and scope of practice regulations shape the landscape for massage therapists. As of 2026, the state has a projected employment of 418 massage therapists, with a promising 6.03% annual growth rate driven by increasing public awareness of wellness and alternative therapies. The top five cities projected for higher salaries are Las Cruces ($60,443), Rio Rancho ($60,217), Farmington ($57,659), Roswell ($57,392), and Alamogordo ($56,919). Understanding these regional differences is essential for aspiring massage therapists when considering where to practice. The job market shows potential for growth, supported by an overall trend towards health and wellness services in New Mexico.
New Mexico Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $26,465 (lowest entry-level) to $97,261 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico massage therapists earn 26.12% less than the national median ($-16,186/year difference).
New Mexico Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in New Mexico range from $35,777 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,982 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,789. The New Mexico median is $16,186 below the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $22.01/hr. Approximately 418 massage therapists are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,880
2025 BLS Actual
$43,185
2026 Current Est.
$45,789
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,686 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,322 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,185 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,550 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 3.1% from $41,880 (2019) to $43,185 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,670 (15.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $38,637 |
| Santa Fe | $50,248 |
| Taos | $53,822 |
| Los Alamos | $53,923 |
| Los Lunas | $54,375 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | $60,443 | 94.4 | $64,029 |
| Rio Rancho | $60,217 | 94.4 | $63,789 |
| Farmington | $57,659 | 94.4 | $61,079 |
| Roswell | $57,392 | 94.4 | $60,797 |
| Alamogordo | $56,919 | 94.4 | $60,296 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $35,777 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $45,789 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,982 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Cruces | $60,443 |
| 2 | Rio Rancho | $60,217 |
| 3 | Farmington | $57,659 |
| 4 | Roswell | $57,392 |
| 5 | Alamogordo | $56,919 |
| 6 | Hobbs | $56,887 |
| 7 | South Valley | $56,656 |
| 8 | Clovis | $55,558 |
| 9 | Carlsbad | $55,471 |
| 10 | Deming | $54,587 |
| 11 | Gallup | $54,393 |
| 12 | Las Vegas | $54,385 |
| 13 | Los Lunas | $54,375 |
| 14 | Los Alamos | $53,923 |
| 15 | Taos | $53,822 |
| 16 | Santa Fe | $50,248 |
| 17 | Albuquerque | $38,637 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in New Mexico?
How many massage therapists are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico city offers the best value for massage therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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