Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Wichita, KS: $23.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Wichita, KS runs $23.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Wichita's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,614 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita, the massage therapist hourly pay is projected to be $23.73 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $29.80. For massage therapists working part-time, such as those on a 3-day work schedule, this hourly rate translates to about $46,000 annually if they maintain consistent bookings. Part-time work is common in various settings, including spas, chiropractic clinics, and mobile practices, offering flexible opportunities but varying pay scales. The hourly rate for massage therapists ranges from $13.29 at entry-level positions to as much as $37.63 for highly experienced professionals, highlighting the potential for substantial income growth as they gain skills and establish a client base. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reflects these figures, indicating the earning potential for those in the massage therapy field in Wichita.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.29 | $106.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.49 | $147.93 |
| Median (P50) | $23.73 | $189.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.10 | $224.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.63 | $301.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita
Based on $23.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.73/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita, KS can expect to earn approximately $49,357 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,475. With a cost-of-living index of 88.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $949.18 | $4,113 | $49,357 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $569.51 | $2,468 | $29,614 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.67 | $1,645 | $19,743 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Wichita) | $23.73 |
| 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 Wichita, KS earn a median of $49,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.34% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 12.40% below the Kansas state average of $56,356.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.73/hr = $29,614/year (purchasing power: $33,295).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,357/year (purchasing power: $55,491).
CoL index: 88.946 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Wichita grew 20.5% from $18.58/hr (2019) to $22.38/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.16/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 Wichita 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 Wichita
While part-time massage therapists can earn a respectable income, those who work per diem or are self-employed often find significant variability in their earnings. For instance, per-diem massage therapists in Wichita typically charge between $25 to $100 per session, depending on the setting, and self-employed therapists can command rates from $80 to $150 for a 60-minute session. These financial dynamics illustrate the trade-offs of employment types: while working for franchise chains like Massage Envy offers consistent hours, it usually comes with lower hourly rates compared to independent practitioners. Additionally, discussing compensation openly can be beneficial, as therapists may negotiate their pay for higher rates without employer benefits. Understanding how employer type influences hourly pay can empower every therapist in Wichita, whether they are part of a large chain, a clinic, or an independent practice, to maximize their earning potential while aligning their work with their financial goals.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 Wichita. 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