Massage Therapist Salary in Providence, RI: $64,063 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Providence, RI earns a median $64,063/year (≈ $30.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $62,947 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for massage therapists in Providence, Rhode Island, is projected to be $64,063, which is approximately 3.37% higher than the national median of $61,975 for the same year. The salary range for massage therapists in this city spans from $41,384 at the 10th percentile to as much as $133,757 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability in earnings linked to experience, employer type, and additional factors such as tip income that can substantially enhance overall compensation in spa settings. This data is grounded in rigorous calculations from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the economic context of Providence, a market where clients often gravitate towards high-quality services and therapists can capitalize on their skills to command better pay, particularly in upscale establishments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,384 | $19.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,441 | $22.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,063 | $30.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,823 | $53.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,757 | $64.31 |
Median Salary Position
3.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,373 (2026 est.). At $64,063, the local median is 3.37% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Providence Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Providence median: $64,063/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $62,258 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +3.37% more |
Massage Therapists in Providence, RI earn a median of $64,063 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.90% above the Rhode Island state average of $62,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,063 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,947 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,260
2025 BLS Actual
$60,420
2026 Current Est.
$64,063
2019–2027 Growth
+117.3%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,063 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,926 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 93.3% from $31,260 (2019) to $60,420 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,926 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,666 (117.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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) | $41,384 – $46,441 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,441 – $64,063 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,063 – $110,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,823 – $133,757 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Providence
Currently, Providence has around 440 massage therapists employed, marking a stable job presence for this profession. However, the local cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 101.773, signifies that revenue must stretch further in this market. Notably, employers such as high-end spas and specialized clinics typically offer more competitive salaries compared to franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, which generally provide lower pay rates but a steady stream of clients. The pay disparity primarily arises from the employment structure where self-employed therapists can achieve greater earnings per appointment, sometimes earning $80-$150 per hour, while those employed by spas may see $19.89 hourly as the starting range. Bargaining for better pay often depends on specializing in niches like oncology or sports massage, alongside building a robust personal brand that attracts clients directly, rather than relying solely on employer bookings.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
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 $60,420 for massage therapistsin the Providence 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