Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $30.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in St. Louis, MO runs $30.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,579 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,554 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, Missouri, the massage therapist hourly pay is projected to be $30.09 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $29.80 per hour. This competitive rate can provide a lucrative opportunity for part-time massage therapists who often work three days a week, as well as for per-diem workers in various settings such as spas, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, and hotel or cruise ship spas. With an hourly range from $22.27 for entry-level positions to $49.09 for experienced therapists, professionals in this field can find flexible work opportunities tailored to their lifestyle, whether they operate in home-based private practices or participate in mobile in-home setups.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.27 | $178.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.34 | $194.76 |
| Median (P50) | $30.09 | $240.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.61 | $316.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.09 | $392.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $30.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.09/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $62,590 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,110. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,203.65 | $5,216 | $62,590 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $722.19 | $3,129 | $37,554 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $481.46 | $2,086 | $25,036 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (St. Louis) | $30.09 |
| 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. Louis, MO earn a median of $62,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.97% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 12.70% above the Missouri state average of $55,527.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.09/hr = $37,554/year (purchasing power: $39,494).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,590/year (purchasing power: $65,823).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+87.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in St. Louis grew 67.0% from $16.99/hr (2019) to $28.38/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.91/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. Louis 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. Louis
When considering the financial implications of part-time work, a massage therapist in St. Louis working 24 hours a week might take home a substantial income over the course of a year, especially when compared to full-time work. Per-diem massage therapist pay in St. Louis varies widely; therapists working at chain establishments may fetch between $25 and $40 per session, while those in mid-tier, independent settings can charge $60 to $100 per session. Self-employed individuals offering cash-pay services often earn between $80 and $150 per hour, with mobile practitioners charging anywhere from $120 to $200 for an in-home visit. Hourly rates can differ based on employer type, with franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone typically paying less than independent practitioners. Many therapists may compromise on pay for steady hours or benefits, underscoring the importance of assessing personal goals and making negotiation strategies that reflect local market conditions in St. Louis.
More salary data for St. Louis, 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 St. Louis. 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