Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $26.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in St. Cloud, MN runs $26.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,881 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,936 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the massage therapist hourly pay stands at $26.39, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $29.80. This disparity can influence professionals in varied settings, from spa treatment rooms to chiropractic clinics and even mobile in-home setups. For part-time therapists working three days a week, the flexibility of this hourly wage can provide a decent income, particularly when sessions are booked consistently. The pay structure allows for entry-level positions starting at $11.80 and reaching up to $39.62 for top earners, showcasing a clear progression as therapists gain experience and clientele. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the specific economic context of St. Cloud.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.80 | $94.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.65 | $109.17 |
| Median (P50) | $26.39 | $211.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.41 | $251.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.62 | $316.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $26.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.39/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $54,893 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,669. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,055.63 | $4,574 | $54,893 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $633.38 | $2,745 | $32,936 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $422.25 | $1,830 | $21,957 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (St. Cloud) | $26.39 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $54,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 10.10% below the Minnesota state average of $61,047.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.39/hr = $32,936/year (purchasing power: $37,584).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,893/year (purchasing power: $62,640).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+87.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in St. Cloud grew 66.8% from $14.92/hr (2019) to $24.89/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.98/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Examining the potential earnings for part-time massage therapists reveals some striking contrasts. A therapist working 24 hours per week, at the median hourly rate, would take home approximately $33,000 annually, which is substantially less than a full-time practitioner's earnings. For those opting for per-diem roles, typical compensation varies widely based on employer type. Chain spas might offer pay between $25 and $40 per session, while mid-tier independent establishments can bill clients $60 to $100 per session. Notably, self-employed therapists who accept cash can command $80 to $150 for a one-hour appointment and even charge mobile in-home rates up to $200. This dynamic landscape means that hourly rates can differ significantly across employment types in St. Cloud, with franchise settings typically offering lower wages compared to independent practices, which often provide higher pay but require self-promotion and cover all overhead. Therapists should consider these variables when negotiating their rates, weighing the benefits of health insurance and steady clientele against higher potential pay without benefits.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 St. Cloud. 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