Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Junction City, KS: $25.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Junction City, KS runs $25.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,126 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Junction City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,877 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, KS, the massage therapist hourly pay is projected to reach $25.54 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $29.80 per hour. This relatively lower hourly rate presents unique opportunities for part-time workers, particularly those operating in settings such as spas, chiropractic clinics, or mobile practices, where they may choose to work three days a week. With the hourly range starting at $14.81 for entry-level positions and peaking at $39.59 for top earners, there's room for growth based on experience and employer type. Such a wage environment means that per-diem massagers will have to negotiate to secure better pay based on their skill level while also considering that compensation rates are derived from annual salary figures reflecting local demand.
About the Junction City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.81 | $118.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.37 | $162.95 |
| Median (P50) | $25.54 | $204.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.69 | $261.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.59 | $316.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Junction City
Based on $25.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.54/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Junction City, KS can expect to earn approximately $53,129 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,651. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Junction City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Junction City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,021.71 | $4,427 | $53,129 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.02 | $2,656 | $31,877 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $408.68 | $1,771 | $21,251 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Junction City) | $25.54 |
| 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 Junction City, KS earn a median of $53,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $56,338.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.54/hr = $31,877/year (purchasing power: $35,068).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,129/year (purchasing power: $58,447).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Junction City grew 36.5% from $17.65/hr (2019) to $24.09/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.08/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 Junction City 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 Junction City
Part-time massage therapists in Junction City might find themselves taking home approximately $25,000 annually by working 24 hours a week, while full-time therapists typically have a significantly larger income potential. Per diem opportunities vary widely, with rates in chain establishments offering anywhere from $25 to $40 per session. Independent practitioners, on the other hand, can command rates from $80 to $150 for a standard session. Employment types also matter considerably; therapists in franchise environments, while benefiting from a more consistent workflow, often face lower hourly rates than self-employed counterparts who handle their own business expenses. Many professionals weigh the trade-offs between guaranteed pay and benefits versus higher hourly earnings without insurance. For those seeking to maximize their compensation, effective negotiation is key—offering specialized services or flexible scheduling can help therapists improve their pay, regardless of their work context in Junction City.
More salary data for Junction City, KS:
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 Junction City. 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 Junction City 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