Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Belton, MO: $25.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Belton, MO runs $25.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,500 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Belton's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,493 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belton, Missouri, the projected massage therapist hourly pay for 2026 is $25.24, which is notably lower than the national average of $29.80. This discrepancy can have significant implications for those working part-time or as per-diem providers. For those operating in settings such as spas, chiropractic clinics, or hotel and cruise ship treatment rooms, the hourly pay can range from $14.73 at the entry level to as high as $39.13 for top earners. This varies widely by employer type and working conditions, allowing for flexibility in hours for practitioners looking to balance work-life commitments. With estimated hourly rates informed by annual salary data, therapists can form a clearer perspective of their earning potential, whether they embrace full-time positions or explore the diverse possibilities of per-diem setups.
About the Belton Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.73 | $117.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.64 | $149.12 |
| Median (P50) | $25.24 | $201.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.31 | $258.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.13 | $313.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belton
Based on $25.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.24/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belton, MO can expect to earn approximately $52,489 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,282. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,009.41 | $4,374 | $52,489 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $605.64 | $2,624 | $31,493 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.76 | $1,750 | $20,996 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Belton) | $25.24 |
| 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 Belton, MO earn a median of $52,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.29% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $55,555.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.24/hr = $31,493/year (purchasing power: $35,149).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,489/year (purchasing power: $58,582).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Belton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Belton grew 36.5% from $17.44/hr (2019) to $23.80/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.76/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 Belton 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 Belton
For massage therapists working part-time, a typical schedule of three days per week may yield approximately $31,214 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who can earn more with consistent hours. Per-diem or agency massage therapists in Belton could charge anywhere from $25 to $100 per session, depending on their client base and marketing strategy. Self-employed therapists focused on cash-pay can command between $80 and $150 for an hour-long session and may even see rates as high as $200 for mobile in-home settings. Employment at franchise chains like Massage Envy may provide steady bookings but often comes at the cost of lower hourly compensation, while self-employed paths offer higher earnings but require additional investments in marketing and overhead. Negotiation becomes critical, especially for those seeking to balance hourly pay with the added security of benefits offered by larger employers. Understanding the local market dynamics is essential for achieving financial goals in Belton's massage therapy environment.
More salary data for Belton, MO:
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 Belton. 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 Belton 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