Massage Therapist Salary in Montpelier, VT: $50,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Montpelier, VT earns a median $50,487/year (≈ $24.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Montpelier's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $48,780 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Montpelier, Vermont can expect a median annual salary of $50,487, a figure that reflects a notable discrepancy when compared to the national median of $61,975. This salary range for therapists in the area spans from $31,521 at the lowest 10th percentile to up to $78,255 for those in the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, illustrate the unique challenges and opportunities within the Montpelier market. With only four massage therapists currently employed in the city, there may be room for growth, as practitioners weigh the trade-off between working within a spa or clinic and the potential income as a self-employed cash-pay therapist.
About the Montpelier Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,521 | $15.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,649 | $18.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,487 | $24.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,623 | $31.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,255 | $37.62 |
Median Salary Position
18.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montpelier
In Montpelier, VT, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,734 (2026 est.). At $50,487, the local median is 18.54% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montpelier: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montpelier Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Montpelier median: $50,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montpelier Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $54,818 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -18.54% less |
Massage Therapists in Montpelier, VT earn a median of $50,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.54% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 7.90% below the Vermont state average of $54,818.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montpelier has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montpelier, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,487 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,780 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,883
2025 BLS Actual
$47,616
2026 Current Est.
$50,487
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Montpelier (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,883 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,618 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,662 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,532 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montpelier metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $34,883 (2019) to $47,616 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,649 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montpelier 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) | $31,521 – $37,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,649 – $50,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,487 – $64,623 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,623 – $78,255 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Montpelier
The reality of the Montpelier job market reveals an ongoing challenge for massage therapists when it comes to cost of living considerations, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 103.5. This higher cost may impact take-home pay and purchasing power for practitioners. Among local employers, spas—especially high-end venues as opposed to franchises like Massage Envy—tend to offer better pay. Self-employed therapists often find greater earning potential, with hourly rates significantly influenced by client tips and specialty services, ensuring a wide pay spectrum. For those looking to maximize their income, diversifying services, targeting high-end clientele, and effectively marketing oneself can create more profitable opportunities, particularly in Montpelier where the self-employment route may yield considerable cash-pay returns.
More salary data for Montpelier, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Montpelier, VT in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Montpelier?
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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 $47,616 for massage therapistsin the Montpelier 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 Montpelier 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