Massage Therapist Salary in Milwaukie, OR: $87,367 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Milwaukie, OR earns a median $87,367/year (≈ $42.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Milwaukie's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $85,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the anticipated compensation for massage therapists in Milwaukie, Oregon, reflects a robust local market with a median annual salary of $87,367. This represents a significant premium over the national median of $61,975, with local salaries ranging from $54,140 at the low end (P10) to $135,418 for top earners (P90). Those working at franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone typically earn less compared to their self-employed counterparts, who enjoy the potential for higher pay but also face greater overhead and income variability. The earning potential in Milwaukie not only highlights the disparity between employment types but also underlines the city's growing acceptance of wellness services, making massage therapy a viable and attractive career choice.
About the Milwaukie Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,899 | $32.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,367 | $42.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,829 | $53.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,418 | $65.10 |
Median Salary Position
40.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukie
In Milwaukie, OR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,278 (2026 est.). At $87,367, the local median is 40.97% above the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Milwaukie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukie Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Milwaukie median: $87,367/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $95,067 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +40.97% more |
Massage Therapists in Milwaukie, OR earn a median of $87,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.97% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 8.10% below the Oregon state average of $95,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukie has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukie, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,367 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,153 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,364
2025 BLS Actual
$82,398
2026 Current Est.
$87,367
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Milwaukie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,492 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,289 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,971 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,367 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,635 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukie metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $60,364 (2019) to $82,398 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,635 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,271 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukie 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) | $54,140 – $66,899 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,899 – $87,367 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,367 – $111,829 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,829 – $135,418 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Milwaukie
The job market for massage therapists in Milwaukie is relatively small, with only six practitioners currently employed in the area. Interestingly, the cost of living index stands at 102.6, indicating it is slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Franchise spas tend to offer lower salaries; however, they also provide consistent clientele. Conversely, self-employed therapists can command premium rates—especially for specialty services like oncology or sports massage—often supplemented by tipping, which may contribute an additional 15-25% to income. As demand for massage therapy continues to rise, focusing on specialized skills and marketing oneself effectively can significantly enhance earnings potential in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Milwaukie, OR:
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 $82,398 for massage therapistsin the Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie 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