Massage Therapist Salary in Bartlett, TN: $51,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Bartlett, TN earns a median $51,218/year (≈ $24.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Bartlett's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $55,793 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Bartlett, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $51,218, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $61,975. The local salary range spans from $29,706 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $79,388 at the higher end (90th percentile), highlighting the potential for earnings variability within this profession. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost factors which suggest a more affordable living environment in Bartlett, with a cost of living index of 91.8. For the local job market, this means that while massage therapists can achieve reasonable financial success, many face the trade-offs associated with self-employment, such as securing their clients and managing overhead expenses versus the more stable environment of franchise employment.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,706 | $14.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,296 | $17.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,218 | $24.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,558 | $31.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,388 | $38.17 |
Median Salary Position
17.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bartlett
In Bartlett, TN, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,682 (2026 est.). At $51,218, the local median is 17.36% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bartlett: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bartlett Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Bartlett median: $51,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bartlett Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,912 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -17.36% less |
Massage Therapists in Bartlett, TN earn a median of $51,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.36% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.60% above the Tennessee state average of $50,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bartlett has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bartlett, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $51,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,793 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,388
2025 BLS Actual
$48,305
2026 Current Est.
$51,218
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Bartlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,388 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,049 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,768 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,206 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,777 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,305 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bartlett metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $35,388 (2019) to $48,305 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,918 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bartlett 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) | $29,706 – $37,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,296 – $51,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,218 – $65,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,558 – $79,388 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Bartlett
The competitive environment for massage therapist pay in Bartlett is influenced by the relatively small employment base, with only 13 therapists in the area. The low cost of living enhances the real purchasing power of these salaries, making it easier for practitioners to sustain their livelihood. Within the local market, employers that pay the most typically include chiropractic clinics and high-end spas, often linked to specialty services. There exists a pronounced disparity in earnings between employed therapists and independent practitioners, largely dictated by factors such as service fees, tips, and the prestige associated with particular establishments. Therapists looking to maximize their income should consider diversifying their skills into lucrative niches, cultivating a robust referral network, and weighing the benefits of hours worked in high-demand environments versus the advantages of self-directed practices.
More salary data for Bartlett, TN:
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 $48,305 for massage therapistsin the Bartlett 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 Bartlett 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