Massage Therapist Salary in Auburn, NY: $64,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Auburn, NY earns a median $64,706/year (≈ $31.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $55,829 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Auburn, NY, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $64,706, which positions local compensation above the national median of $61,975. The salary range reflects significant variability in earnings, spanning from $39,079 at the 10th percentile to $100,294 at the 90th percentile. This disparity can often be attributed to factors such as tips, which can add a notable boost to income in spa settings where tips typically range from 15% to 25% of session fees. Given the local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, it is clear that massage therapists in Auburn can earn competitive wages in a small but growing market.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,079 | $18.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,938 | $23.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,706 | $31.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,823 | $39.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,294 | $48.22 |
Median Salary Position
4.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, NY, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,215 (2026 est.). At $64,706, the local median is 4.41% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Auburn median: $64,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $68,111 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +4.41% more |
Massage Therapists in Auburn, NY earn a median of $64,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.41% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 5.00% below the New York state average of $68,111.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,706 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,829 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,707
2025 BLS Actual
$61,026
2026 Current Est.
$64,706
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,707 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,542 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,977 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,748 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,482 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,026 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,608 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $44,707 (2019) to $61,026 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,608 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,901 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $39,079 – $48,938 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,938 – $64,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,706 – $82,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,823 – $100,294 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Auburn
With only four massage therapists currently employed in Auburn, job opportunities may seem limited, but the city's cost of living index of 115.9 indicates a higher than average cost structure, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Spas and wellness centers rank among the top employers in the area, with franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone often providing stable clientele but generally lower pay compared to self-employed practices. The significant earnings gap is encouraging many therapists to seek independent practices or specialty services in areas like sports or oncology massage, which often command higher rates. For those aiming for maximum income in this market, building a strong local client base, enhancing skills through certification with organizations like ABMP or AMTA, and strategically positioning services for cash-pay clients can be crucial for long-term success.
More salary data for Auburn, NY:
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 $61,026 for massage therapistsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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