Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Cedar Rapids, IA: $25.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Cedar Rapids, IA runs $25.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,326 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Cedar Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.0, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,401 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, the projected hourly rate for massage therapists stands at $25.16, which is notably lower than the national average of $29.80. This puts local practitioners in a position where part-time therapists working three days a week can find their earnings directly impacted by the regional pay scale. In practical terms, this translates to varied compensation opportunities, particularly for those involved in per-diem work across diverse settings such as spas, chiropractic clinics, and hotels. The hourly pay range for local massage therapists extends from $22.76 for entry-level positions to $46.38 for top earners, as reported by official BLS data. Such figures indicate a competitive but challenging environment for massage therapists in Cedar Rapids, given that many may operate under tighter margins than their counterparts in other regions.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.76 | $182.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.91 | $199.25 |
| Median (P50) | $25.16 | $201.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.38 | $371.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.38 | $371.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Rapids
Based on $25.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.16/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Rapids, IA can expect to earn approximately $52,335 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,193. With a cost-of-living index of 88.96 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,006.44 | $4,361 | $52,335 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $603.86 | $2,617 | $31,401 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $402.57 | $1,744 | $20,934 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Cedar Rapids) | $25.16 |
| 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 Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $52,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.57% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $56,023.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.16/hr = $31,401/year (purchasing power: $35,297).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,335/year (purchasing power: $58,828).
CoL index: 88.963 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Cedar Rapids grew 20.6% from $19.67/hr (2019) to $23.73/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.68/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 Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids
For those considering a flexible work arrangement as a part-time massage therapist, earning potential can vary significantly based on employment type. A therapist working 24 hours a week might take home around $36,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time averages. As per-diem massage therapists operate in a wide compensation range depending on their employer and clientele—it’s common to see rates from $25 to $100 per session in spas, while self-employed therapists can command $80 to $150 per hour depending on the market. In Cedar Rapids, differences in pay influenced by employer type are evident, with franchise chains like Massage Envy often offering lower hourly earnings compared to self-employed practices that allow for better rates. As therapists enter negotiations, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of corporate versus independent practice can help to inform their decision on where to work, balancing the stability of consistent hours with the potential for higher pay through self-employment opportunities.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Cedar Rapids in 2026?
How much do part-time massage therapists make in Cedar Rapids?
Are massage therapists in Cedar Rapids paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time massage therapist make per year in Cedar Rapids?
Do massage therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Cedar Rapids?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Cedar Rapids. 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