Massage Therapist Salary in Bryant, AR: $50,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Bryant, AR earns a median $50,890/year (≈ $24.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Bryant's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $58,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for massage therapists in Bryant, Arkansas, is set at a median annual salary of $50,890. This figure highlights a notable disparity within the pay structure based on employment type, with franchise models like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone generally offering lower wages compared to self-employed practices. The salary ranges from $29,589 at the lower tenth percentile to $78,880 at the upper ninety percentile, reflecting the variable earning potential within the field. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, providing a localized context that is critical for those considering a career in massage therapy in Bryant, AR.
About the Bryant Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,589 | $14.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,552 | $18.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,890 | $24.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,880 | $37.93 |
Median Salary Position
17.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bryant
In Bryant, AR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,291 (2026 est.). At $50,890, the local median is 17.89% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bryant: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bryant Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Bryant median: $50,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bryant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $53,852 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -17.89% less |
Massage Therapists in Bryant, AR earn a median of $50,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.89% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 5.50% below the Arkansas state average of $53,852.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bryant has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bryant, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $50,890 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,161
2025 BLS Actual
$47,996
2026 Current Est.
$50,890
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Bryant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,161 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,818 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,942 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,959 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bryant metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $35,161 (2019) to $47,996 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,798 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bryant 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $29,589 – $37,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,552 – $50,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,890 – $65,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,140 – $78,880 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Bryant
An examination of the job market reveals only four massage therapists currently employed in Bryant, indicating a niche industry with limited competition. The cost of living in the area, with an index of 86.9, suggests that therapists may have better purchasing power compared to other regions, but this also underscores the importance of strategic positioning in terms of pay. Employers that tend to offer the highest wages include chiropractic clinics and specialized wellness programs, which often value advanced skills and certifications. Several factors contribute to the wage gap in Bryant, including self-employed therapists earning higher hourly rates without the overhead of franchise employment, and the potential for tips in spa settings. To maximize their income, therapists should consider diversifying their services, pursuing additional certifications, and leveraging social media for self-promotion to attract clients within this small but evolving market.
More salary data for Bryant, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,996 for massage therapistsin the Bryant metropolitan area. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bryant 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