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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Massage Therapist in California is $54,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.
However, a Licensed Massage Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Licensed Massage Therapist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $60,690 | $5,058 | $1,167 | $29 |
| Average | $54,690 | $4,558 | $1,052 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,890 | $3,741 | $863 | $22 |
The NOW Santa Monica - Santa Monica, CA
The NOW Woodland Hills - Los Angeles, CA
Heights Wellness Retreat - Porter Ranch/LA - Los Angeles, CA
Equinox - Westwood, CA
A Licensed Massage Therapist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Massage Therapist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 0-0 years | $54,616 |
| Exercise Instructor I | 0-1 years | $45,709 |
| Fitness Training Coordinator II | 1-3 years | $55,824 |
| Personal Fitness Trainer | 3-5 years | $74,369 |
| Gym Supervisor | 5+ years | $76,239 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Licensed Massage Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Licensed Massage Therapist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $58,916. While startup companies pay approximate $50,003.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $50,003 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $52,847 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $56,929 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $58,916 |
For Licensed Massage Therapist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Licensed Massage Therapist positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Licensed Massage Therapist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $76,566 | $37.0 | 40% |
Understanding how a Licensed Massage Therapist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $60,690 | $5,058 | $1,167 | $29 |
| Average | $54,690 | $4,558 | $1,052 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,890 | $3,741 | $863 | $22 |
For a Licensed Massage Therapist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Exercise Instructor I role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $45,800 - a projected growth of -16% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Licensed Massage Therapist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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