Massage Therapist Pay

Carpentersville vs Peoria: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Carpentersville, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carpentersville, IL
$63,092
$30.34/hr
Peoria, IL
$59,663
$28.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarpentersville, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$63,092$59,663
Hourly Rate$30.34$28.68
Entry Level (P10)$38,920$33,081
25th Percentile$48,271$47,639
75th Percentile$80,758$66,481
Top Earner (P90)$97,793$81,516
Total Employed8120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carpentersville ($63,092) and Peoria ($59,663) massage therapist salaries.CarpentersvillePeoriaMedian Salary$63,092$59,663Entry Level (P10)$38,920$33,081Top Earner (P90)$97,793$81,516US Median $61,975

Verdict

Carpentersville, IL offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Carpentersville and Peoria is $3,429 (5.75%). Carpentersville's median is +1.80% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carpentersville spans $58,873,Peoria spans $48,435. Carpentersville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carpentersville
P10 (Entry)$38,920
P25$48,271
Median$63,092
P75$80,758
P90 (Top)$97,793
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$33,081
P25$47,639
Median$59,663
P75$66,481
P90 (Top)$81,516

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($65,398 effective) pays 0.65% more than Carpentersville ($64,976 effective).

Carpentersville
Nominal: $63,092
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $64,976
Peoria
Nominal: $59,663
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $65,398

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carpentersville if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,092/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,793)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,398)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Carpentersville grew 25.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 51.0% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Carpentersville, IL

+25.7%

$47,340 (2024) → $59,504 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+51.0%

$37,260 (2019) → $56,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Carpentersville or Peoria?

Carpentersville has a higher median massage therapist salary at $63,092/year, compared to Peoria at $59,663/year — a difference of $3,429 (5.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carpentersville and Peoria?

Carpentersville massage therapists earn $30.34/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $28.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carpentersville to Peoria as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carpentersville and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carpentersville = $64,976, Peoria = $65,398), job availability (8 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Carpentersville vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $38,920 in Carpentersville and $33,081 in Peoria. The Carpentersville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, LMTData verified by Carlos Ramirez, LMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.03% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov