Massage Therapist Salary in Delaware: $53,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $53,241/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $52,351 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($60,577), Newark ($48,287), Dover ($48,162).
In Delaware, the projected average median salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $53,242, which is approximately 14.1% lower than the national median of $61,975. Wilmington stands out as the highest paying city with an expected salary of $64,230, while Middletown offers the lowest at $47,612. This salary disparity reflects differences in demand, cost of living, and the clientele each area attracts. Delaware’s regulations for massage therapists include licensure requirements and defined scope of practice laws, which help maintain professional standards in the field. The demand for massage therapy services is influenced by factors such as growing awareness of alternative health treatments and increasing emphasis on wellness, contributing to a positive job market outlook with a projected annual growth rate of 6.03%. Overall, while salaries in Delaware are lower than the national average, the upward trend in growth signals promising opportunities for new and experienced therapists alike. The top five cities for projected salaries in 2026 include Wilmington at $64,230, Newark at $51,199, Dover at $51,066, Bear at $49,382, and Smyrna at $47,739. Understanding the local market dynamics can help you make informed decisions about your career in this field.
Delaware Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $28,500 (lowest entry-level) to $99,556 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware massage therapists earn 14.09% less than the national median ($-8,734/year difference).
Delaware Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Delaware range from $31,655 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,524 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,241. The Delaware median is $8,734 below the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $25.59/hr. Approximately 39 massage therapists are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,786
2025 BLS Actual
$50,214
2026 Current Est.
$53,241
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,786 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,834 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,516 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,438 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,214 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,452 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,786 (2019) to $50,214 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,452 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,666 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $47,612 |
| Smyrna | $47,739 |
| Bear | $49,382 |
| Dover | $51,066 |
| Newark | $51,199 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $64,230 | 101.7 | $63,156 |
| Newark | $51,199 | 101.7 | $50,343 |
| Dover | $51,066 | 101.7 | $50,212 |
| Bear | $49,382 | 101.7 | $48,557 |
| Smyrna | $47,739 | 101.7 | $46,941 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $31,655 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,241 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,524 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $64,230 |
| 2 | Newark | $51,199 |
| 3 | Dover | $51,066 |
| 4 | Bear | $49,382 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $47,739 |
| 6 | Middletown | $47,612 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Delaware?
How does Delaware massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Delaware?
How many massage therapists are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for massage therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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