Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $31.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Rockford, IL runs $31.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,551 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,732 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, massage therapists earn a median hourly rate of $31.03, which is higher than the national median of $29.80. This hourly pay reflects a favorable environment for both full-time and part-time therapists working in various settings, such as spas, chiropractic clinics, and home practices. For those considering part-time work, such as a typical schedule of three days a week, the potential to earn a stable income while maintaining flexibility is attractive. Entry-level massage therapists can expect to make approximately $18.71 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $41.20 per hour, indicating a broad salary range within the local industry. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures illustrate a supportive economic ecosystem for massage therapy in Rockford.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.71 | $149.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.02 | $208.16 |
| Median (P50) | $31.03 | $248.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.97 | $327.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.20 | $329.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $31.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.03/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,553 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,242. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.40 | $5,379 | $64,553 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.84 | $3,228 | $38,732 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.56 | $2,152 | $25,821 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Rockford) | $31.03 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $64,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.16% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.20% below the Illinois state average of $64,680.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.03/hr = $38,732/year (purchasing power: $42,029).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,553/year (purchasing power: $70,049).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Rockford grew 26.1% from $23.21/hr (2019) to $29.27/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.91/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Part-time massage therapists in Rockford who work 24 hours a week can expect to take home an annual income that significantly differs from full-time counterparts. Per diem massage therapists often encounter variable earnings, with chain spas generally billing their services between $25 to $40 per session, while independent practices may offer up to $60 to $100 per session. Self-employed therapists can set rates of $80-$150 for each hour-long session, with mobile services commanding even higher fees, ranging from $120 to $200. Employer choice heavily influences these rates; while spas may have more consistent schedules and clients, they sometimes trade off higher compensation for health benefits. Negotiating salary is vital in Rockford's competitive market, and knowing individual worth based on skills and associate memberships, such as with ABMP or AMTA, may help secure better pay rates while considering the trade-offs involving flexibility or insurance benefits.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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