Massage Therapist Salary in Forest Grove, OR: $92,810 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Forest Grove, OR earns a median $92,810/year (≈ $44.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Forest Grove's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $90,458 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $92,810 in 2026, massage therapists in Forest Grove, Oregon, experience a substantial income potential compared to the national average of $61,975. The local salary range spans from $53,830 at the lower end (P10) to $143,856 at the higher end (P90), suggesting a diverse compensation spectrum influenced by various factors. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments reveal that while franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone may offer consistent bookings, their pay structure often reflects lower earnings compared to independent or self-employed therapists, who can leverage tips and a broader clientele to enhance their overall income. This dynamic creates an interesting job market in Forest Grove for massage therapists, where pay can vary significantly based on employment structure and individual practice strategies.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,830 | $25.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,562 | $32.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,810 | $44.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,797 | $57.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,856 | $69.16 |
Median Salary Position
49.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Forest Grove
In Forest Grove, OR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,026 (2026 est.). At $92,810, the local median is 49.75% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Forest Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Forest Grove Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Forest Grove median: $92,810/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Forest Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $95,092 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +49.75% more |
Massage Therapists in Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $92,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.75% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $95,092.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Forest Grove has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Forest Grove, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $92,810 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $90,458 — a 2.53% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$64,125
2025 BLS Actual
$87,532
2026 Current Est.
$92,810
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,125 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,532 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,810 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,407 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Forest Grove metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $64,125 (2019) to $87,532 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,407 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,282 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Forest Grove 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) | $53,830 – $67,562 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,562 – $92,810 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,810 – $118,797 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,797 – $143,856 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Forest Grove
In Forest Grove, the local employment landscape consists of four massage therapists, reflecting a modest job market given the area's unique cost of living index of 102.6, which necessitates careful consideration of take-home pay. The growing demand for specialized services such as sports or oncology massage can set therapists apart and justify higher rates, especially in self-employed settings. Spas and franchises may typically provide lower hourly wages but have the advantage of consistent customer flow and built-in marketing. Conversely, self-employed therapists can generate higher income by directly negotiating session fees, although they must absorb all overhead costs. To maximize pay as a massage therapist in this region, focusing on niche specialties and utilizing platforms for effective self-marketing are crucial strategies, given the pronounced gap between employed pay and what one can achieve independently.
More salary data for Forest Grove, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Forest Grove, OR in 2026?
Is Forest Grove, OR a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Forest Grove?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Forest Grove?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Forest Grove?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $87,532 for massage therapistsin the Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove 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