Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Oak Lawn, IL: $30.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Oak Lawn, IL runs $30.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,051 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Oak Lawn's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,832 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in Oak Lawn, Illinois, earn a median hourly wage of $30.31, slightly surpassing the national median of $29.80. This competitive pay allows for a variety of employment arrangements, whether it be part-time work three days a week or per-diem gigs in diverse settings such as spa treatment rooms, chiropractic clinics, and mobile in-home practices. Therapists starting out in this field can expect to earn around $17.89, while experienced professionals may see hourly rates climb to $46.98. This range provides a solid foundation for therapists to plan their careers, whether they aim for stable employment in local spas like Massage Envy or greater flexibility and higher earnings as self-employed practitioners.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.89 | $143.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.08 | $176.60 |
| Median (P50) | $30.31 | $242.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.80 | $310.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.98 | $375.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Lawn
Based on $30.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.31/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Lawn, IL can expect to earn approximately $63,053 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,377. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Lawn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Lawn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,212.56 | $5,254 | $63,053 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $727.54 | $3,153 | $37,832 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.02 | $2,102 | $25,221 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Oak Lawn) | $30.31 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $32.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Exercise Trainer/Fitness Instructor (National Avg) | $23.95 |
Massage Therapists in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $63,051 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.74% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $64,734.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.31/hr = $37,832/year (purchasing power: $38,962).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,053/year (purchasing power: $64,936).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Oak Lawn grew 36.5% from $20.94/hr (2019) to $28.59/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.14/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem massage therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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.
Working as an Hourly Massage Therapist in Oak Lawn
For those considering a part-time schedule, working three days a week can lead to annual earnings significantly lower than full-time counterparts, which may limit benefits but provide a flexible lifestyle. Per diem massage therapists in Oak Lawn frequently earn between $25 and $100 per session depending on their employer, with self-employed therapists charging anywhere from $80 to $200 per hour. This variability across employer types often influences the decision between working for a franchise versus establishing a solo practice. While franchise settings tend to provide consistency in client bookings, self-employed therapists enjoy a greater earning potential but must manage overhead costs and their own marketing efforts. Negotiating rates can be a crucial skill in Oak Lawn, especially for those navigating the dynamics between hourly compensation and the absence of benefits that a regular employment position might offer.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for massage therapists in Oak Lawn. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Lawn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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