Massage Therapist Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $65,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $65,717/year (≈ $31.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $65,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists in 2026 is set at $65,717, reflecting the competitive nature of the local market. This figure sits above the national median of $61,975, highlighting that massage therapist pay in Salt Lake City UT is comparatively strong, especially when considering tips, which can significantly boost overall earnings. The salary range extends from $47,342 at the 10th percentile to $102,828 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while there are entry-level opportunities available, experienced therapists can command substantial wages. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, marks Salt Lake City as an appealing location for aspiring and established massage therapists alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,342 | $22.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,102 | $31.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,717 | $31.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,177 | $39.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,828 | $49.43 |
Median Salary Position
6.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,486 (2026 est.). At $65,717, the local median is 6.04% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $65,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $60,793 | +8.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +6.04% more |
Massage Therapists in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $65,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.04% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 8.10% above the Utah state average of $60,793.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,717 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,151 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,950
2025 BLS Actual
$61,980
2026 Current Est.
$65,717
2019–2027 Growth
+66.1%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,680 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 47.7% from $41,950 (2019) to $61,980 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,680 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,730 (66.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $47,342 – $65,102 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,102 – $65,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,717 – $81,177 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,177 – $102,828 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Salt Lake City
With around 610 massage therapists employed in the area, Salt Lake City offers a robust job market, but the cost of living index of 100.868 means that therapists need to negotiate their compensation carefully to maintain purchasing power. Employers such as high-end spas and specialized clinics tend to offer more competitive pay compared to franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which often employ therapists on a commission basis that may result in lower earnings. The pay disparity can also be influenced by factors like tips, which in spas can add 15-25% to a session fee, and the choice between self-employment versus working with a clinic or franchise. For those wanting to maximize their income, building a solid client base through self-promotion, networking, and targeting high-demand specialties such as sports or oncology massage can particularly enhance their earning potential in Salt Lake City.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $61,980 for massage therapistsin the Salt Lake City 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