Massage Therapist Salary in Arkansas: $45,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $45,024/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,811 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jonesboro ($51,490), Jacksonville ($50,426), Bentonville ($50,178).
In Arkansas, the projected average median salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $45,024, significantly lower than the national median of $61,975, reflecting a variance of 27.4%. The salary range across metro areas can be quite disparate, with Jonesboro offering the highest average at $54,595 and Hot Springs the lowest at $28,671, resulting in a gap of $25,924. This difference can generally be attributed to varying demand, local cost of living, and market saturation in each city. Arkansas requires massage therapists to obtain a state license and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which can influence both job availability and salary levels. The projected annual compound growth rate for this profession is 6.03%, indicating a steady demand for massage therapists statewide. As of now, there are 442 employed in this field, with other notable cities like Jacksonville ($53,467), Bentonville ($53,204), and Paragould ($52,610) reflecting higher-than-average salaries, likely due to increased demand or higher living costs. Overall, while Arkansas wages may trail behind the national average, the job market is expected to grow and provides opportunities for those entering the massage therapy profession.
Arkansas Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $26,105 (lowest entry-level) to $96,455 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas massage therapists earn 27.35% less than the national median ($-16,951/year difference).
Arkansas Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Arkansas range from $28,936 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,247 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,024. The Arkansas median is $16,951 below the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $21.65/hr. Approximately 442 massage therapists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,846
2025 BLS Actual
$42,463
2026 Current Est.
$45,024
2019–2027 Growth
+11.4%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,846 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,612 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,243 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,731 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,382 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,734 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew -0.9% from $42,846 (2019) to $42,463 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,893 (11.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hot Springs | $28,671 |
| Fort Smith | $39,348 |
| Fayetteville | $44,448 |
| Conway | $44,656 |
| North Little Rock | $44,951 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | $54,595 | 86.9 | $62,825 |
| Jacksonville | $53,467 | 86.9 | $61,527 |
| Bentonville | $53,204 | 86.9 | $61,224 |
| Benton | $52,761 | 86.9 | $60,715 |
| Paragould | $52,610 | 86.9 | $60,541 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $28,936 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $45,024 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,247 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonesboro | $54,595 |
| 2 | Jacksonville | $53,467 |
| 3 | Bentonville | $53,204 |
| 4 | Benton | $52,761 |
| 5 | Paragould | $52,610 |
| 6 | Pine Bluff | $52,569 |
| 7 | Sherwood | $52,326 |
| 8 | Russellville | $52,050 |
| 9 | Cabot | $51,816 |
| 10 | Texarkana | $51,803 |
| 11 | Searcy | $51,274 |
| 12 | Bryant | $50,890 |
| 13 | Van Buren | $49,991 |
| 14 | Little Rock | $45,625 |
| 15 | Rogers | $45,175 |
| 16 | Springdale | $45,143 |
| 17 | North Little Rock | $44,951 |
| 18 | Conway | $44,656 |
| 19 | Fayetteville | $44,448 |
| 20 | Fort Smith | $39,348 |
| 21 | Hot Springs | $28,671 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Arkansas?
How many massage therapists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for massage therapists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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