Massage Therapist Salary in Lakewood, WA: $85,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Lakewood, WA earns a median $85,760/year (≈ $41.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $79,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Lakewood, Washington, have a median annual salary projected at $85,760, significantly higher than the national median of $61,975, reflecting a 38.38% advantage. The salary range here varies widely, with entry-level therapists earning around $49,741 (P10) and experienced professionals making up to $132,929 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living variations, illustrate the potential to earn a substantial income in this field, particularly for those who undertake self-employed practices. However, it's important to acknowledge that such earnings often come with the burden of overhead costs and the need for effective marketing, which can weigh heavily on those running their own business in Lakewood's competitive market.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,741 | $23.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,759 | $31.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,760 | $41.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,773 | $52.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,929 | $63.90 |
Median Salary Position
38.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, WA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,188 (2026 est.). At $85,760, the local median is 38.38% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $85,760/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $86,802 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +38.38% more |
Massage Therapists in Lakewood, WA earn a median of $85,760 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.38% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $86,802.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,760 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,851 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,254
2025 BLS Actual
$80,883
2026 Current Est.
$85,760
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,254 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,361 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,914 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,915 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,932 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $59,254 (2019) to $80,883 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,932 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,678 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $49,741 – $65,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,759 – $85,760 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,760 – $109,773 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,773 – $132,929 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Lakewood
The job market for massage therapists in Lakewood is steady, with approximately 14 professionals currently employed in the area. Despite a cost of living index of 107.4 indicating expenses above the national average, opportunities for lucrative pay exist, particularly among certain employers. Spas, chiropractic clinics, and sports medicine facilities tend to offer competitive wages, often supplemented by tips that can account for a significant portion of total income—fees at spas generally include a 15-25% tip. The stark contrast between the earnings potential of self-employed therapists, who can charge between $80-$150 per session, and those in franchise settings like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone highlights the financial discrepancy within the industry. For those looking to maximize their income in Lakewood, focusing on specialty services such as prenatal or sports therapy, as well as building a strong local client base through marketing and networking, are essential strategies to succeed in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $80,883 for massage therapistsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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