Massage Therapist Salary in North Dakota: $66,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $66,882/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,698 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fargo ($74,140), Grand Forks ($54,077), Bismarck ($53,004).
In North Dakota, the projected median salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $66,883, which is 7.9% higher than the national median of $61,975. The highest-paying city is Fargo, offering an average salary of $78,611, while Mandan presents the lowest at $53,289, highlighting a salary gap of $25,322. This difference is largely driven by the cost of living and demand for services in these areas, with larger cities often providing more job opportunities and higher client volumes. The state has specific licensing requirements for massage therapists, which include completion of an accredited program and passing a licensing examination. The scope of practice laws in North Dakota support a range of therapeutic techniques, aligning with evolving client needs and preferences. Currently, there are 124 employed massage therapists across North Dakota, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.03%. This growth is driven by various factors, including increasing awareness of wellness and the therapeutic benefits of massage. The job market reflects this demand, suggesting a favorable outlook for aspiring therapists entering the field in the coming years.
North Dakota Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $32,335 (lowest entry-level) to $97,813 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota massage therapists earn 7.92% more than the national median (+$4,907/year difference).
North Dakota Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in North Dakota range from $40,201 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,038 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,882. The North Dakota median is $4,907 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $32.16/hr. Approximately 124 massage therapists are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,260
2025 BLS Actual
$63,079
2026 Current Est.
$66,882
2019–2027 Growth
+56.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,054 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,483 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,079 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 39.4% from $45,260 (2019) to $63,079 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,655 (56.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $53,289 |
| Williston | $54,406 |
| Dickinson | $55,751 |
| Minot | $55,994 |
| West Fargo | $56,034 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $78,611 | 90.871 | $86,508 |
| Grand Forks | $57,338 | 92 | $62,324 |
| Bismarck | $56,200 | 92 | $61,087 |
| West Fargo | $56,034 | 92 | $60,907 |
| Minot | $55,994 | 92 | $60,863 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,201 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,882 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $92,038 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $78,611 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $57,338 |
| 3 | Bismarck | $56,200 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $56,034 |
| 5 | Minot | $55,994 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $55,751 |
| 7 | Williston | $54,406 |
| 8 | Mandan | $53,289 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in North Dakota 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 North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in North Dakota?
How many massage therapists are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota 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 North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 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