Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $28.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Kansas City, MO runs $28.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,175 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,503 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Kansas City, Missouri, offers a competitive massage therapist hourly pay, with a median rate of $28.45 per hour, slightly below the national hourly median of $29.80. This pay structure benefits those working part-time, such as those employed three days a week, and those considering per-diem opportunities at various venues, including spas, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, sports team training facilities, hotels, and private practices. Entry-level therapists can expect to earn around $22.17 per hour, while experienced professionals may earn as much as $51.85 per hour, reflecting the range that exists in the massage therapy field. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, highlight the possibilities available for both new entrants and seasoned practitioners.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.17 | $177.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.43 | $203.41 |
| Median (P50) | $28.45 | $227.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.31 | $314.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.85 | $414.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $28.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.45/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $59,172 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,137. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,137.91 | $4,931 | $59,172 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $682.75 | $2,959 | $35,503 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.17 | $1,972 | $23,669 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Kansas City) | $28.45 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $59,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 6.60% above the Missouri state average of $55,512.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.45/hr = $35,503/year (purchasing power: $38,364).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,172/year (purchasing power: $63,939).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+133.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Kansas City grew 108.0% from $12.90/hr (2019) to $26.83/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.16/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 Kansas 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 Kansas City
Examining the financial dynamics of part-time and per-diem massage therapists reveals significant earning potential. A therapist working three days a week for an average of 24 hours would take home an estimated $39,845 annually, while full-time professionals may see higher earnings corresponding with the hourly rate varying across employment settings. Per-diem massage therapists often charge between $25 and $40 per session in chains and can earn upwards of $80 to $150 for self-pay services in private practice. Differences in hourly pay can manifest based on work environment—where spas typically offer lower rates compared to self-employed setups. Additionally, some massage therapists may choose lower hourly pay within franchise chains for the benefits of steady clientele and insurance options, while others may prefer higher pay without benefits in self-employment. Negotiating higher rates, especially in a city like Kansas City, requires understanding the local market and being prepared to advocate for compensation that reflects experience and skill level.
More salary data for Kansas City, 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 Kansas 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
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