Massage Therapist Salary in University Place, WA: $85,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in University Place, WA earns a median $85,119/year (≈ $40.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $79,254 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in University Place, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $85,119, significantly higher than the national median of $61,975. Local estimates reveal a salary range from $49,369 at the 10th percentile to $131,934 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the market. The compensation landscape varies markedly depending on whether therapists are employed by franchises like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, or if they choose to work independently. Those working in franchise settings generally earn less than their self-employed counterparts, who might achieve much higher per-session earnings but incur additional risks and overhead costs.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,369 | $23.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,427 | $30.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,119 | $40.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,952 | $52.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,934 | $63.43 |
Median Salary Position
37.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,565 (2026 est.). At $85,119, the local median is 37.34% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Massage Therapist Pay Compares
University Place median: $85,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $86,767 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +37.34% more |
Massage Therapists in University Place, WA earn a median of $85,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.34% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $86,767.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,119 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,254 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,811
2025 BLS Actual
$80,278
2026 Current Est.
$85,119
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,811 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,965 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,278 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $58,811 (2019) to $80,278 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,440 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $49,369 – $62,427 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,427 – $85,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,119 – $108,952 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,952 – $131,934 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in University Place
Currently, there are six massage therapists employed in University Place, which indicates a small yet specialized local market. The cost of living index in the area stands at 107.4, meaning professionals need to consider how their compensation aligns with expenses. Franchise settings often pay lower compared to independent practices, where therapists can also benefit from tips that may range from 15% to 25% of the service fee. By focusing on specialties such as oncology or sports massage, therapists may command higher rates. To maximize earnings in University Place, massage therapists should consider self-employment for greater income potential, diversify their skill sets to attract a wider client base, and utilize social media for effective marketing to highlight their services and specialties.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can massage therapists make $100K in University Place?
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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 $80,278 for massage therapistsin the University Place 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 University Place 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