Massage Therapist Salary in Jacksonville, AR: $53,467 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Jacksonville, AR earns a median $53,467/year (≈ $25.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $61,527 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for massage therapists in Jacksonville, Arkansas, sits at $53,467, which lags behind the national median of $61,975 by about 13.73%. The salary for local professionals varies widely, ranging from a low of $31,791 at the 10th percentile to a high of $82,873 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for cost of living regional factors. While cash-pay potential exists for self-employed therapists who can earn significantly more—often up to $150 per session—the associated challenges of managing overhead and marketing can be considerable. As the local market features only seven massage therapists, opportunities for self-employment may be outweighed by the competitive dynamics for employed positions.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,791 | $15.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,026 | $19.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,467 | $25.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,437 | $32.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,873 | $39.85 |
Median Salary Position
13.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, AR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,082 (2026 est.). At $53,467, the local median is 13.73% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $53,467/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $53,844 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -13.73% less |
Massage Therapists in Jacksonville, AR earn a median of $53,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.73% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.70% below the Arkansas state average of $53,844.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville 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.
Jacksonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $53,467 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,527 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,942
2025 BLS Actual
$50,426
2026 Current Est.
$53,467
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,942 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,632 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,015 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,426 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,467 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,691 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,942 (2019) to $50,426 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,691 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,749 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $31,791 – $40,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,026 – $53,467 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,467 – $68,437 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,437 – $82,873 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Jacksonville
Within Jacksonville's job market, the cost of living index stands at 86.9, illustrating that while salaries may feel lower compared to national figures, the local economy provides a manageable environment for earnings to stretch further. Among various employers, self-employed therapists may command the highest wages, offering flexibility and higher session rates, but at the cost of personal marketing efforts and business expenditures. Franchise operations like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer lower pay rates compared to independent practices, though they provide the advantage of a stable client base. The disparity in earnings can also be influenced by specialty areas such as oncology or sports massage, which may command premium pricing. To maximize potential earnings in Jacksonville, therapists should consider building their own brand, tapping into the local community, leveraging online platforms for visibility, or exploring in-demand service offerings that set them apart from typical franchise work.
More salary data for Jacksonville, 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 $50,426 for massage therapistsin the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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