Massage Therapist Salary in Scranton, PA: $61,900 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Scranton, PA earns a median $61,900/year (≈ $29.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $66,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the projected massage therapist salary for 2026 reaches a median of $61,900, positioning it very closely to the national median of $61,975. The salary spectrum is broad, ranging from $30,611 at the 10th percentile to as high as $91,175 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and adjusted for projected trends, indicates a competitive marketplace for massage therapy. In Scranton, professionals within franchises like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone tend to receive lower pay compared to their independent or self-employed counterparts, who can significantly increase their earnings by setting their own rates and managing their service volume. Overall, Scranton’s market reflects a mix of opportunities, with salary potential for massage therapists positioned for positive growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,611 | $14.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,236 | $22.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,940 | $39.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,175 | $43.83 |
Median Salary Position
0.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,564 (2026 est.). At $61,900, the local median is 0.12% below the national median of $61,975.
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How Scranton Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Scranton median: $61,900/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $62,149 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -0.12% less |
Massage Therapists in Scranton, PA earn a median of $61,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.12% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $62,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $61,900 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,164 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,220
2025 BLS Actual
$58,380
2026 Current Est.
$61,900
2019–2027 Growth
+10.8%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,900 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,633 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew -1.4% from $59,220 (2019) to $58,380 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,633 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,413 (10.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $30,611 – $47,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,236 – $61,900 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,900 – $81,940 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,940 – $91,175 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Scranton
The local job market supports around 110 massage therapists, contributing to a steady demand for services in a city with a cost-of-living index of 93.556, slightly below the national average. This index suggests that while salaries may be lower than in some regions, the purchasing power for thoroughly skilled practitioners can still support a comfortable standard of living. Among local employers, independent practices and high-end spas often pay more than franchises, where therapists might earn less but benefit from a consistent clientele and marketing support. Factors influencing the salary disparity include tips, which tend to average between 15-25% of session fees at many spas, as well as the therapist's specialty area; niches such as sports, prenatal, or oncology massage can bring in higher rates. For massage therapists in Scranton PA, maximizing income could involve building a strong referral network, diversifying service offerings, and exploring self-employment, where direct pay opportunities can reach between $80 to $150 per session.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
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 $58,380 for massage therapistsin the Scranton 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