Massage Therapist Salary in Kingston, NY: $81,802 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Kingston, NY earns a median $81,802/year (≈ $39.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Kingston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $81,226 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.2% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingston, New York, the expected compensation for massage therapists is notably favorable, with a median annual salary reaching $81,802 in 2026. This figure surpasses the national median of $61,975 by nearly 32%, reflecting Kingston's healthy job market dynamics. Salaries in this region can vary significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $36,018 and the top 90% earning as much as $139,376. These statistics, gathered from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reveal a robust market for massage therapy, enhanced further by potential tip income in spa settings, which can add 15-25% to a therapist's earnings per session. For those considering a career in this field, Kingston presents an attractive landscape for growth and financial rewards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,018 | $17.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,618 | $22.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,802 | $39.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,376 | $67.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,376 | $67.01 |
Median Salary Position
31.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingston
In Kingston, NY, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,358 (2026 est.). At $81,802, the local median is 31.99% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingston Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Kingston median: $81,802/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $68,055 | +20.20% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +31.99% more |
Massage Therapists in Kingston, NY earn a median of $81,802 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.99% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 20.20% above the New York state average of $68,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingston has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingston, NY has a cost-of-living index of 100.709 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,802 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,226 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,519
2025 BLS Actual
$77,150
2026 Current Est.
$81,802
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Kingston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,519 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,575 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,918 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,802 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,735 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingston metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $56,519 (2019) to $77,150 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,216 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingston 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) | $36,018 – $47,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,618 – $81,802 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,802 – $139,376 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,376 – $139,376 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Kingston
The local job market for massage therapists in Kingston is solid, with around 60 practitioners currently employed, indicating steady demand for services. The area's cost-of-living index is slightly above the national average at 100.709, which affects take-home purchasing power, especially for those relying on lower base pay in spa environments. Spas, particularly franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, often provide more consistent bookings but typically offer lower wages compared to independent practices, where therapists can set their rates. The disparity in earnings is influenced by factors such as tip income, specialization in fields like oncology or sports massage, and the nature of employment. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Kingston, strategic self-employment, leveraging direct-client relationships, and skill diversification can prove beneficial, ensuring a more lucrative career in massage therapy.
More salary data for Kingston, 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 $77,150 for massage therapistsin the Kingston 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, 4-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