Massage Therapist Salary in Portland, OR: $89,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Portland, OR earns a median $89,839/year (≈ $43.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $85,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $89,839, Portland's massage therapists earn significantly more than the national median of $61,975, highlighting the city's robust demand for skilled professionals in this field. The salary range spans from $53,768 at the lower end to $109,900 at the higher end, reflecting a diverse market where both employment settings and specialties can lead to varying pay scales. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that these figures are derived from comprehensive surveys, painting a clear picture of how much do massage therapists make in Portland. With a notable presence of both self-employed and spa-employed massage therapists, the earning potential is not only strong but also influenced by the type of work environment and the clientele served.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,768 | $25.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,528 | $34.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,839 | $43.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,199 | $49.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,900 | $52.83 |
Median Salary Position
44.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,132 (2026 est.). At $89,839, the local median is 44.96% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Portland median: $89,839/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $95,068 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +44.96% more |
Massage Therapists in Portland, OR earn a median of $89,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.96% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 5.50% below the Oregon state average of $95,068.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,839 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,219 — a 5.14% 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
$60,420
2025 BLS Actual
$84,730
2026 Current Est.
$89,839
2019–2027 Growth
+57.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,257 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 40.2% from $60,420 (2019) to $84,730 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,257 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,837 (57.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $53,768 – $71,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,528 – $89,839 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,839 – $103,199 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,199 – $109,900 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Portland
The job market in Portland employs approximately 1,580 massage therapists, showcasing a steady demand for services. However, the cost of living in the area, with a CoL index of 105.421, requires therapists to consider how their earnings translate into purchasing power. Those working in upscale spas, integrative medicine programs, or specialized clinics often see higher pay, driven by clientele expectations and service quality. Conversely, franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer lower compensation but provide reliable schedules and client flow. The disparity in pay can also be influenced by factors like tip income, which can add 15-25% to a therapist's earnings at spas. To maximize their pay, local therapists should consider developing a specialty, as niche markets can demand higher fees, thus encouraging financial growth in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Portland, OR in 2026?
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Portland?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Portland?
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 $84,730 for massage therapistsin the Portland 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