Massage Therapist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $42,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $42,709/year (≈ $20.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $36,941 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.7% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, a massage therapist's salary is on the lower end compared to the national average, with a projected median annual figure of $42,709 for 2026. This salary is reflective of a range from $39,157 at the 10th percentile to $101,259 at the 90th percentile, as indicated by 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. Given that many employment opportunities for massage therapists in the area are found in spa settings where tips can significantly enhance income, the actual earnings often surpass the base salary. In this vibrant market, the compensation landscape is shaped by the type of employer and the therapist's specialty, which creates diverse experiences in terms of pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,157 | $18.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,609 | $19.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,709 | $20.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,977 | $35.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,259 | $48.68 |
Median Salary Position
31.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,102 (2026 est.). At $42,709, the local median is 31.09% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the entry-level range
How San Francisco Massage Therapist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $42,709/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,187 | -19.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -31.09% less |
Massage Therapists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $42,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.09% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 19.70% below the California state average of $53,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $42,709 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $36,941 — a 13.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,600
2025 BLS Actual
$40,280
2026 Current Est.
$42,709
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.8%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,284 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew -13.6% from $46,600 (2019) to $40,280 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,284 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,316 (-2.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $39,157 – $40,609 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,609 – $42,709 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,709 – $73,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,977 – $101,259 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in San Francisco
With around 1,800 massage therapists currently working in San Francisco, the local job market shows a healthy growth trajectory with an annual growth rate of 6.03%. However, the cost of living in the Bay Area remains high, with a cost-of-living index of 115.613, indicating that take-home purchasing power may be restricted, making effective financial management essential. Employers like high-end spas and specialized clinics tend to offer better pay than franchise chains such as Massage Envy or Elements. To maximize earnings in this competitive environment, therapists should consider specializing in lucrative areas like oncology or sports massage and also evaluate the benefits of self-employment, which, while involving greater risk and overhead, often provides much higher hourly wages than salaried positions at franchises. Understanding how to navigate these opportunities can significantly influence how much do massage therapists make in San Francisco.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in San Francisco?
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Related Pages
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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 $40,280 for massage therapistsin the San Francisco 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
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