Massage Therapist Salary in Virginia: $61,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $61,783/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $59,867 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($64,670), Roanoke ($63,070), Newport News ($60,789).
The average median salary for massage therapists in Virginia is projected to be $61,783 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $61,975, reflecting a variance of -0.3%. The highest-paying city is Alexandria, where massage therapists can expect to earn $68,570, while Falls Church offers the lowest average salary at $58,973, highlighting a salary gap of $9,597. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for wellness services, and the concentration of clientele willing to pay higher rates in urban areas like Alexandria. Virginia has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that practitioners must adhere to, which can influence earning potential and job opportunities. The demand for massage therapy services in Virginia is on the rise, with a projected growth rate of 6.03% annually through 2026, driven by an increasing recognition of the health benefits of massage and a growing emphasis on wellness. Cities like Roanoke ($66,873), Newport News ($64,455), Hampton ($63,886), and Centreville ($63,588) reflect varying levels of demand and pay scales, contributing to a diverse job market for massage therapists in the state. Overall, the outlook for this profession remains positive, with a total of 1,689 massage therapists currently employed in Virginia.
Virginia Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $35,502 (lowest entry-level) to $138,708 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia massage therapists earn 0.31% less than the national median ($-192/year difference).
Virginia Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Virginia range from $39,630 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $105,770 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,783. The Virginia median is $192 below the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $29.70/hr. Approximately 1,689 massage therapists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,259
2025 BLS Actual
$58,269
2026 Current Est.
$61,783
2019–2027 Growth
+71.2%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,259 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,413 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,159 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,415 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,628 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,269 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,508 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 52.3% from $38,259 (2019) to $58,269 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,508 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,249 (71.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $58,973 |
| Herndon | $59,910 |
| Williamsburg | $60,564 |
| Winchester | $60,592 |
| Annandale | $60,681 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke | $66,873 | 93.618 | $71,432 |
| Alexandria | $68,570 | 103.2 | $66,444 |
| Richmond | $61,211 | 97.858 | $62,551 |
| Charlottesville | $61,975 | 99.146 | $62,509 |
| Newport News | $64,455 | 103.2 | $62,456 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,630 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,783 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $105,770 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $68,570 |
| 2 | Roanoke | $66,873 |
| 3 | Newport News | $64,455 |
| 4 | Hampton | $63,886 |
| 5 | Centreville | $63,588 |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $63,430 |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $63,406 |
| 8 | Burke | $63,158 |
| 9 | Harrisonburg | $63,026 |
| 10 | Suffolk | $62,884 |
| 11 | Tuckahoe | $62,706 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $62,616 |
| 13 | McLean | $62,612 |
| 14 | Reston | $62,545 |
| 15 | Danville | $62,532 |
| 16 | Fredericksburg | $62,264 |
| 17 | Dale City | $62,251 |
| 18 | Manassas | $62,184 |
| 19 | Salem | $62,012 |
| 20 | Charlottesville | $61,975 |
| 21 | Leesburg | $61,923 |
| 22 | Norfolk | $61,888 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | $61,887 |
| 24 | Mechanicsville | $61,788 |
| 25 | Springfield | $61,570 |
| 26 | Bristol | $61,503 |
| 27 | Woodbridge | $61,485 |
| 28 | Sterling | $61,366 |
| 29 | Staunton | $61,321 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $61,286 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $61,217 |
| 32 | Chesapeake | $61,214 |
| 33 | Richmond | $61,211 |
| 34 | Radford | $61,171 |
| 35 | Fairfax | $61,061 |
| 36 | Virginia Beach | $60,978 |
| 37 | Waynesboro | $60,762 |
| 38 | Annandale | $60,681 |
| 39 | Winchester | $60,592 |
| 40 | Williamsburg | $60,564 |
| 41 | Herndon | $59,910 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $58,973 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
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 Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Virginia?
How does Virginia massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Virginia?
How many massage therapists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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, 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