Massage Therapist Salary in Rochester, NY: $70,096 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Rochester, NY earns a median $70,096/year (≈ $33.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $72,238 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, NY, the projected median annual salary for a massage therapist reaches $70,096, significantly higher than the national median at $61,975 and reflecting a notable 13.10% premium in compensation. The salary range varies widely, with the lowest earners making approximately $34,184 and top earners making around $97,548. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, highlights the favorable market conditions for massage therapy in this region. Many therapists here often receive tips from clients, especially in spas, enhancing their overall income and making Rochester an attractive place to pursue a massage therapy career.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,184 | $16.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,497 | $21.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,096 | $33.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,285 | $43.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,548 | $46.90 |
Median Salary Position
13.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,364 (2026 est.). At $70,096, the local median is 13.1% above the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be above the median
How Rochester Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Rochester median: $70,096/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $68,055 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +13.10% more |
Massage Therapists in Rochester, NY earn a median of $70,096 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.10% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 3.00% above the New York state average of $68,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $70,096 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,238 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,650
2025 BLS Actual
$66,110
2026 Current Est.
$70,096
2019–2027 Growth
+114.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,096 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,323 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 90.8% from $34,650 (2019) to $66,110 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,323 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,673 (114.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $34,184 – $45,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,497 – $70,096 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,096 – $90,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,285 – $97,548 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Rochester
With around 200 massage therapists currently employed in Rochester, the job market remains robust, despite a cost-of-living index of 97.035 suggesting that daily expenses are slightly below the national average. In terms of earnings potential, establishments such as high-end spas and specialized clinics typically offer better pay compared to franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, which usually feature lower rates and pay-per-service structures. The disparities in pay arise from various factors including self-employment opportunities, where therapists can earn higher per-session fees but must manage their own business overhead. For those looking to maximize their compensation in Rochester, gaining specialized skills in fields like oncology or sports massage, and building a strong client base can significantly elevate earnings above standard industry rates.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $66,110 for massage therapistsin the Rochester 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, 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