Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $27.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $27.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,755 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,656 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, massage therapists are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $27.77 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $29.80. This rate makes massage therapy an appealing career choice, especially for part-time professionals and those in per-diem roles. For example, a massage therapist working three days a week could earn approximately $1,700 monthly before taxes, which provides a flexible income stream while maintaining other commitments. The hourly compensation ranges from $19.45 for entry-level therapists to $40.39 for those at the higher end of the pay scale, reflecting the variation in experience, specialization, and employment setting. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals this structure, which is relevant for positions across various environments, such as spas, chiropractic clinics, and mobile practices.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.45 | $155.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.92 | $191.36 |
| Median (P50) | $27.77 | $222.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.96 | $295.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.39 | $323.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $27.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.77/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $57,760 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,323. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,110.77 | $4,813 | $57,760 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $666.46 | $2,888 | $34,656 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.31 | $1,925 | $23,104 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Fort Wayne) | $27.77 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $57,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.80% above the Indiana state average of $56,733.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.77/hr = $34,656/year (purchasing power: $37,437).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,760/year (purchasing power: $62,395).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Fort Wayne grew 27.4% from $20.55/hr (2019) to $26.19/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.44/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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
Exploring the financial dynamics of part-time work as a massage therapist in Fort Wayne, it's evident that an individual working 24 hours per week would take home significantly less annually compared to full-time counterparts. A per-diem massage therapist billing on a session basis may earn anywhere from $25 to $100 per session at a chain spa while self-employed practitioners can charge $80 to $150 or more for a 60-minute session. The variability in hourly pay reflects the type of employer, with franchise chains typically offering more stable bookings but at lower rates, while independent practice allows for higher earnings at the cost of self-management and overhead. Additionally, therapists must consider the trade-off between job benefits and hourly pay; while a clinic position may offer health insurance at a lower hourly rate, many therapists in Fort Wayne prefer the higher wages available with self-employment, even without benefits. As professionals negotiate their rates, understanding the local market and leveraging their skills effectively can lead to better earning outcomes.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Fort Wayne in 2026?
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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 Fort Wayne. 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