Massage Therapist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $58,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $58,073/year (≈ $27.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $61,830 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, Ohio, the compensation for massage therapists is projected to reach a median salary of $58,073 in 2026, reflecting a 6.30% decrease from the national average of $61,975. The annual salary for professionals in this field ranges from $40,970 at the lower end to as much as $80,021 for those at the higher end, indicating significant earning potential. While many massage therapists enjoy the flexibility of self-employment with cash-pay clients, they must also contend with the burdens of overhead and self-marketing. This landscape creates a dynamic environment for massage therapist pay in Cleveland, as demand for services continues to grow, influencing earnings across various sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,970 | $19.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,290 | $24.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,073 | $27.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,279 | $30.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,021 | $38.47 |
Median Salary Position
6.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,051 (2026 est.). At $58,073, the local median is 6.3% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $58,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $58,778 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -6.30% less |
Massage Therapists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $58,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.30% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $58,778.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $58,073 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,830 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,550
2025 BLS Actual
$54,770
2026 Current Est.
$58,073
2019–2027 Growth
+51.8%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 35.1% from $40,550 (2019) to $54,770 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,024 (51.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $40,970 – $50,290 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,290 – $58,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,073 – $63,279 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,279 – $80,021 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Cleveland
With around 350 massage therapists working in Cleveland, the local job market remains robust, fostering competition that can influence salary progression. The cost of living index in the area stands at 93.923, which is below the national average, meaning that therapists may experience a favorable balance between income and living expenses. Among local employers, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, contrasted with franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which often provide steadier, albeit lower, pay. The income disparity is further heightened by factors such as tips, specialization areas, and the differences in pay structures between employed positions and independent practitioners. For those looking to maximize their earnings, developing a niche in specialties like oncology or sports massage, alongside building a strong client base, can significantly enhance take-home pay in this competitive Cleveland market.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $54,770 for massage therapistsin the Cleveland 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