Massage Therapist Salary in Newport News, VA: $64,455 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Newport News, VA earns a median $64,455/year (≈ $30.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Newport News's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $62,456 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the massage therapist salary in Newport News is projected to reach a median of $64,455, representing a robust increase compared to the national figure of $61,975. This growth reflects an increasing demand for massage therapy services in various settings, such as spas, clinics, and wellness centers. The salary range for therapists in this area extends from $38,646 at the 10th percentile to $99,905 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. Notably, tips play a substantial role in overall compensation, particularly in spa environments, where therapists can earn an additional 15-25% of their session fee, further enhancing their take-home pay beyond the listed salary estimates.
About the Newport News Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,646 | $18.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,917 | $23.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,455 | $30.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,502 | $39.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,905 | $48.03 |
Median Salary Position
4.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport News
In Newport News, VA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,259 (2026 est.). At $64,455, the local median is 4% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport News: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport News Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Newport News median: $64,455/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport News Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,943 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +4.00% more |
Massage Therapists in Newport News, VA earn a median of $64,455 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.00% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.80% above the Virginia state average of $63,943.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport News has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport News, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,455 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,456 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,534
2025 BLS Actual
$60,789
2026 Current Est.
$64,455
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,366 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,787 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,855 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,523 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,789 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,455 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport News metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $44,534 (2019) to $60,789 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,807 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News 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) | $38,646 – $48,917 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,917 – $64,455 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,455 – $82,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,502 – $99,905 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Newport News
Currently, Newport News employs 39 massage therapists, indicating a stable local job market for aspiring professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2—slightly above the national average—therapists need to consider how their earnings align with local expenses when determining their financial goals. Employers that typically offer higher pay in the area include integrative medicine programs in hospitals, upscale hotel spas, and private practices, where therapists may capitalize on specialized skills like oncology or sports therapy. The gap between low and high compensation can be attributed to factors such as employment type, with self-employed therapists often enjoying higher per-session earnings compared to franchise employees, who may receive a steady flow of clients but at a lower base rate. Understanding these dynamics can help therapists strategize effectively to maximize their pay in the competitive Newport News market.
More salary data for Newport News, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Newport News, VA in 2026?
Is Newport News, VA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Newport News?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Newport News?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Newport News?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $60,789 for massage therapistsin the Newport News 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 Newport News 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