Massage Therapist Salary in Washington: $94,097 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $94,097/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $87,614 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($95,143), Seattle ($94,220), Tacoma ($92,648).
In 2026, massage therapists in Washington are projected to earn an average median salary of $94,096, significantly higher than the national median of $61,975, representing a difference of 51.8%. Salary disparities among cities are notable, with Bellevue leading at $100,880, while Tukwila offers the lowest salary at $80,228, creating a gap of $20,652. Factors driving this disparity include the cost of living in different regions, the concentration of wellness businesses, and overall demand for therapeutic services. Washington has specific licensing requirements for massage therapists, including completion of an approved training program and passing a state examination. The scope of practice laws also influence job responsibilities, ensuring that therapists operate within legal parameters. The overall demand for massage services is on the rise, driven by increasing awareness of mental and physical wellness, further supported by a projected annual growth rate of 6.03%. With 3,752 employed massage therapists across the state, major metropolitan areas like Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver also reflect strong salaries, with Seattle at $99,901 and Tacoma at $98,235. This job market presents promising opportunities for new graduates and experienced professionals alike, especially in high-demand areas.
Washington Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $37,895 (lowest entry-level) to $156,365 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington massage therapists earn 51.83% more than the national median (+$32,122/year difference).
Washington Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Washington range from $64,187 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $129,643 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,097. The Washington median is $32,122 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $45.24/hr. Approximately 3,752 massage therapists are employed across 50 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,160
2025 BLS Actual
$88,745
2026 Current Est.
$94,097
2019–2027 Growth
+48.6%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,536 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,105 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,745 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,097 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 32.1% from $67,160 (2019) to $88,745 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,611 (48.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tukwila | $80,228 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $80,352 |
| Covington | $81,481 |
| Kenmore | $81,487 |
| Spokane | $81,802 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | $100,880 | 107.4 | $93,929 |
| Yakima | $89,171 | 95.545 | $93,329 |
| Tacoma | $98,235 | 107.4 | $91,466 |
| Seattle | $99,901 | 111.133 | $89,893 |
| Bellingham | $88,843 | 103.334 | $85,977 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,187 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,097 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $129,643 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $100,880 |
| 2 | Seattle | $99,901 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $98,235 |
| 4 | Vancouver | $90,418 |
| 5 | Yakima | $89,171 |
| 6 | Renton | $89,063 |
| 7 | Bellingham | $88,843 |
| 8 | Everett | $88,201 |
| 9 | Bremerton | $87,676 |
| 10 | Marysville | $87,540 |
| 11 | Shoreline | $87,059 |
| 12 | Redmond | $86,716 |
| 13 | Kent | $86,643 |
| 14 | Richland | $86,537 |
| 15 | Kirkland | $86,502 |
| 16 | Burien | $86,392 |
| 17 | Federal Way | $86,013 |
| 18 | Des Moines | $85,994 |
| 19 | Wenatchee | $85,916 |
| 20 | Auburn | $85,794 |
| 21 | Lakewood | $85,760 |
| 22 | Issaquah | $85,711 |
| 23 | Sammamish | $85,148 |
| 24 | University Place | $85,119 |
| 25 | SeaTac | $85,051 |
| 26 | Kennewick | $84,771 |
| 27 | Pasco | $84,687 |
| 28 | Longview | $84,647 |
| 29 | Mount Vernon | $84,432 |
| 30 | Edmonds | $84,169 |
| 31 | Lake Stevens | $83,946 |
| 32 | Lynnwood | $83,893 |
| 33 | Tumwater | $83,803 |
| 34 | Moses Lake | $83,731 |
| 35 | Bothell | $83,670 |
| 36 | Spokane Valley | $83,376 |
| 37 | Pullman | $83,300 |
| 38 | Puyallup | $83,112 |
| 39 | Olympia | $83,043 |
| 40 | Ellensburg | $82,799 |
| 41 | Maple Valley | $82,572 |
| 42 | Walla Walla | $82,391 |
| 43 | Camas | $82,364 |
| 44 | Lacey | $82,362 |
| 45 | Oak Harbor | $82,016 |
| 46 | Spokane | $81,802 |
| 47 | Kenmore | $81,487 |
| 48 | Covington | $81,481 |
| 49 | Mountlake Terrace | $80,352 |
| 50 | Tukwila | $80,228 |
More Washington Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Washington in 2026?
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How does Washington massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
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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
Statewide 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. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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