Massage Therapist Salary in Bennington, VT: $52,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Bennington, VT earns a median $52,528/year (≈ $25.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Bennington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $50,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bennington, Vermont, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists in 2026 is estimated at $52,528, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national figure of $61,975. For those considering a career or continuing education in massage therapy, the local pay range extends from $31,865 at the bottom percentile to $81,419 for those at the top. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account regional price adjustments, which can influence take-home pay. A crucial aspect of earnings in this market is the reliance on gratuities, particularly in spa settings where therapists can earn an additional 15-25% through tips. While Bennington's job market is relatively small, consisting of just six employed massage therapists, it offers various opportunities within diverse environments.
About the Bennington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,865 | $15.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,682 | $19.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,528 | $25.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,236 | $32.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,419 | $39.15 |
Median Salary Position
15.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bennington
In Bennington, VT, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,554 (2026 est.). At $52,528, the local median is 15.24% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bennington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bennington Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Bennington median: $52,528/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bennington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $54,831 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.24% less |
Massage Therapists in Bennington, VT earn a median of $52,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.24% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.20% below the Vermont state average of $54,831.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bennington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bennington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,528 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,752 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,293
2025 BLS Actual
$49,541
2026 Current Est.
$52,528
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Bennington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,589 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,541 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,696 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bennington metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,293 (2019) to $49,541 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,696 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,403 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bennington 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) | $31,865 – $39,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,682 – $52,528 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,528 – $67,236 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,236 – $81,419 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Bennington
The cost of living in Bennington, currently indexed at 103.5, implies that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in areas with lower living costs. Spas, such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, often provide more stable employment but generally lower pay rates compared to self-employed practitioners who have the potential to earn substantially more per session. Factors such as specialty skills in oncology or sports massage can also lead to higher compensation. The pronounced disparity in salaries often relates to structure—while employees in franchises earn steady incomes, self-employed therapists can enjoy significantly higher rates. To maximize earnings in Bennington, therapists should consider niche services, build a strong client base, and market effectively to establish higher value in their practice.
More salary data for Bennington, VT:
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 $49,541 for massage therapistsin the Bennington 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 Bennington 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