Massage Therapist Salary in Lacey, WA: $82,362 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Lacey, WA earns a median $82,362/year (≈ $39.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $76,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation landscape for massage therapists in Lacey, Washington, points to a median annual salary of $82,362, reflecting a robust opportunity within the profession that surpasses the national average by approximately 32.90%. The salary range here varies significantly, with starting salaries at around $49,832 and advancing to $127,661 for experienced practitioners. These figures are derived from BLS estimates based on 2025 data, adjusted for local price variations, revealing that the potential for self-employed therapists is substantial. However, achieving this level of income often entails navigating the challenges of overhead costs and self-marketing efforts that accompany independent practice. With a local job market featuring 12 massage therapists, competition can influence earning potential and job availability in Lacey.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,832 | $23.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,536 | $30.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,362 | $39.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,424 | $50.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,661 | $61.38 |
Median Salary Position
32.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,829 (2026 est.). At $82,362, the local median is 32.9% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Lacey median: $82,362/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $86,788 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +32.90% more |
Massage Therapists in Lacey, WA earn a median of $82,362 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.90% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 5.10% below the Washington state average of $86,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,362 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,687 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,906
2025 BLS Actual
$77,678
2026 Current Est.
$82,362
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,969 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,342 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,262 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,491 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,362 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $56,906 (2019) to $77,678 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,422 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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) | $49,832 – $62,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,536 – $82,362 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,362 – $105,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,424 – $127,661 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Lacey
Considering the cost-of-living index in Lacey stands at 107.4, massage therapists may find that their purchasing power is slightly affected by local expenses compared to national trends. Although there are various employment settings, including spas like Massage Envy and Elements, chiropractic clinics, and physical therapy practices, it is often the self-employed who can take advantage of higher pay per session. Many in this market earn tips, typically ranging from 15-25% of the session fee, which can boost income further. The notable pay disparity is driven by differences in hourly rates versus commission structures and specialty areas such as oncology or sports massage. To maximize income in Lacey, therapists should cultivate a loyal client base, focus on niche services, and leverage social media for marketing—each of these strategies can lead to higher customer retention and satisfaction.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
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 $77,678 for massage therapistsin the Lacey 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 Lacey 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