Massage Therapist Pay

Rockford vs Romeoville: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Rockford, IL
$64,551
$31.03/hr
Romeoville, IL
$61,933
$29.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRockford, ILRomeoville, IL
Median Salary$64,551$61,933
Hourly Rate$31.03$29.77
Entry Level (P10)$38,924$38,181
25th Percentile$54,128$47,367
75th Percentile$85,227$79,274
Top Earner (P90)$85,693$95,996
Total Employed2307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rockford ($64,551) and Romeoville ($61,933) massage therapist salaries.RockfordRomeovilleMedian Salary$64,551$61,933Entry Level (P10)$38,924$38,181Top Earner (P90)$85,693$95,996US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Rockford and Romeoville is $2,618 (4.23%). Rockford's median is +4.16% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rockford spans $46,769,Romeoville spans $57,815. Romeoville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Rockford
P10 (Entry)$38,924
P25$54,128
Median$64,551
P75$85,227
P90 (Top)$85,693
Romeoville
P10 (Entry)$38,181
P25$47,367
Median$61,933
P75$79,274
P90 (Top)$95,996

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($70,047 effective) pays 9.82% more than Romeoville ($63,783 effective).

Rockford
Nominal: $64,551
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $70,047
Romeoville
Nominal: $61,933
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $63,783

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,551/year)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,047)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Romeoville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,996)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Rockford grew 26.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.7% growth in Romeoville over the same period.

Rockford, IL

+26.1%

$48,280 (2019) → $60,880 (2025)

Romeoville, IL

+25.7%

$46,470 (2024) → $58,411 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Rockford or Romeoville?

Rockford has a higher median massage therapist salary at $64,551/year, compared to Romeoville at $61,933/year — a difference of $2,618 (4.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rockford and Romeoville?

Rockford massage therapists earn $31.03/hr while Romeoville hygienists earn $29.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rockford to Romeoville as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rockford and Romeoville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rockford = $70,047, Romeoville = $63,783), job availability (230 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Rockford vs Romeoville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $38,924 in Rockford and $38,181 in Romeoville. The Rockford 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