Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Elizabethtown, KY: $26.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Elizabethtown, KY runs $26.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,085 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Elizabethtown's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,446 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapy in Elizabethtown, KY offers a median hourly pay of $26.00, which trails the national hourly median of $29.80. This pay structure has implications for workers in various settings. For instance, part-time therapists working three days a week can find balance in income while experiencing manageable workloads. The hourly earnings range from $15.08 at entry-level to around $40.30 for the most experienced therapists. These rates are derived from broader salary estimates, allowing for a clear view of financial expectations for roles in local spas, chiropractic clinics, and hotel settings. Whether in a mobile, in-home service, or within a self-employed practice, the hourly pay captures the variability of the profession based on setting and expertise.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.08 | $120.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.96 | $151.67 |
| Median (P50) | $26.00 | $207.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.28 | $266.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.30 | $322.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabethtown
Based on $26.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.00/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabethtown, KY can expect to earn approximately $54,077 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,198. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elizabethtown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabethtown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,039.94 | $4,506 | $54,077 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $623.97 | $2,704 | $32,446 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.98 | $1,803 | $21,631 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Elizabethtown) | $26.00 |
| 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 Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $54,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $55,358.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.00/hr = $32,446/year (purchasing power: $36,334).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,077/year (purchasing power: $60,557).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Elizabethtown grew 36.5% from $17.96/hr (2019) to $24.52/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.57/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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown
Expanding on the earning landscape, a part-time massage therapist working 24 hours weekly could expect an annual take-home lower than full-time peers, thus placing limits on total income. Within the per-diem realm, therapists might bill around $25-$40 per session in chain locations, while mid-tier independent settings could yield between $60-$100 per session. Highly skilled self-employed therapists can increase their rates to $80-$150 for each 60-minute session, especially in markets like Elizabethtown, where mobile therapy can command higher premiums. The hourly rates differ considerably depending on the employing entity, from popular franchises like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone to integrative roles in hospitals and personal private practices. Therapists may have to weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates that include benefits versus higher earnings without health insurance support. For those negotiating, emphasizing unique skill sets and service quality can create opportunities for improved per-hour compensation.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Elizabethtown in 2026?
How much do part-time massage therapists make in Elizabethtown?
Are massage therapists in Elizabethtown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time massage therapist make per year in Elizabethtown?
Do massage therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Elizabethtown?
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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 Elizabethtown. 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 Elizabethtown 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