Massage Therapist Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $60,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $60,978/year (≈ $29.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $62,260 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, Virginia, the projected massage therapist salary for 2026 stands at $60,978, slightly below the national median of $61,975. This salary reflects a diverse range that spans from $39,910 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $108,363 at the upper end (90th percentile). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they reveal a vibrant local market for massage therapy. While employed therapists often earn less than those who are self-employed, the latter have the opportunity to significantly increase their income through cash-pay services, albeit with the additional responsibilities of marketing and covering overhead costs. This dynamic makes the Virginia Beach job landscape both competitive and potentially lucrative for skilled professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,315 | $23.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,978 | $29.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,674 | $45.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,363 | $52.10 |
Median Salary Position
1.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,453 (2026 est.). At $60,978, the local median is 1.61% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $60,978/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,985 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -1.61% less |
Massage Therapists in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $60,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.61% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.70% below the Virginia state average of $63,985.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $60,978 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,260 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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
$37,180
2025 BLS Actual
$57,510
2026 Current Est.
$60,978
2019–2027 Growth
+73.9%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,655 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 54.7% from $37,180 (2019) to $57,510 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,655 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,475 (73.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $39,910 – $49,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,315 – $60,978 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,978 – $94,674 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,674 – $108,363 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Virginia Beach
Across Virginia Beach, approximately 540 massage therapists are currently employed, contributing to a dynamic job market. The cost of living index for the area, recorded at 97.941, indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can enhance take-home pay for therapists. Certain employers, such as high-end spas and medical practices, tend to offer more competitive rates compared to franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, which often provide lower pay per service. The variance in income can be influenced by factors like tip income—which is usually around 15-25% of the session fee—specializations in areas such as oncology or sports massage, and whether a therapist is self-employed or working within a franchise structure. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Virginia Beach, establishing a strong personal brand, offering specialized services, and cultivating client relationships can significantly enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026?
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Virginia Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Virginia Beach?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Virginia Beach?
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 $57,510 for massage therapistsin the Virginia Beach 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