Personal Care & Fitness Norfolk, VA Pop. 238,005

Massage Therapist Salary in Norfolk, Virginia

The median massage therapist salary in Norfolk, VA is $47,866 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 7.7% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$47,866
vs State Avg
$-3,988
vs National
$-1,994
Cost of Living
96%

Massage Therapist Pay in Norfolk: What to Expect (2026)

Norfolk offers a median massage therapist salary of $47,866, which is $3,988 below the Virginia state average of $51,854. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Norfolk pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Norfolk's cost of living is 96% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for massage therapists in Norfolk spans from $26,880 at the 10th percentile to $84,480 at the 90th percentile — a $57,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,800, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $78,720. With a population of 238,005, Norfolk is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Massage Therapist Salary in Norfolk by Experience

In Norfolk, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $28,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $78,720 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,800
$-1,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$48,960
$-2,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$78,720
$-3,280 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Norfolk, VA

Percentile Norfolk
10th Percentile $26,880
25th Percentile $34,560
Median (50th) $47,866
75th Percentile $65,280
90th Percentile $84,480

Massage Therapist Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$65,815
Pop. 238,643
Virginia Beach, VA
$50,857
Pop. 449,974
Richmond, VA
$49,860
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$48,863
Pop. 249,422

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Norfolk

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Norfolk and the surrounding Virginia area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Massage TechniquesAnatomyClient AssessmentCommunicationPhysical StaminaHygiene

Job Outlook

Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Norfolk may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Norfolk

Browse open massage therapist positions in Norfolk, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Norfolk

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Norfolk, VA? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Norfolk, Virginia is $47,866 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $26,880 (10th percentile) to $84,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Norfolk? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $47,866, a massage therapist in Norfolk earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Norfolk compare to the Virginia state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Norfolk's median massage therapist salary of $47,866 is 7.7% below the Virginia state average of $51,854. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Norfolk, VA? ▼
Norfolk has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $47,866 in Norfolk has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Norfolk? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Norfolk require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Massage Techniques, Anatomy, Client Assessment, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.