Massage Therapist Salary in North Little Rock, AR: $44,951 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in North Little Rock, AR earns a median $44,951/year (≈ $21.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in North Little Rock's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $51,727 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for a massage therapist in North Little Rock reaches $44,951, falling significantly below the national median of $61,975. With a salary range that varies from $26,587 at the 10th percentile to $69,674 at the 90th percentile, local estimates reflect the influence of regional cost factors. Given the competitive nature of the market combined with the option of self-employment, many professionals face the challenge of balancing potential higher earnings from cash-pay sessions against the realities of overhead and marketing expenses. This dynamic produces a unique salary scenario in North Little Rock, where the ability to navigate client acquisition and service pricing can make a considerable difference in earnings.
About the North Little Rock Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,587 | $12.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,777 | $16.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,951 | $21.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,538 | $27.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,674 | $33.49 |
Median Salary Position
27.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Little Rock
In North Little Rock, AR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,087 (2026 est.). At $44,951, the local median is 27.47% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Little Rock Massage Therapist Pay Compares
North Little Rock median: $44,951/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $53,834 | -16.50% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -27.47% less |
Massage Therapists in North Little Rock, AR earn a median of $44,951 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.47% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 16.50% below the Arkansas state average of $53,834.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Little Rock 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.
North Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $44,951 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,727 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,058
2025 BLS Actual
$42,395
2026 Current Est.
$44,951
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in North Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,058 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,025 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,164 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,117 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,514 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,395 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,951 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,662 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Little Rock metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $31,058 (2019) to $42,395 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,662 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,604 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Little Rock 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) | $26,587 – $33,777 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,777 – $44,951 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,951 – $57,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,538 – $69,674 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in North Little Rock
The job market for massage therapists in North Little Rock consists of about 15 professionals, indicating a tight-knit community with limited competition. The cost of living index stands at 86.9, suggesting that salaries, though lower than the national average, can provide a reasonable quality of life locally. Among potential employers, franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone typically offer steady, albeit lower pay, while independent practices or those focusing on specializations such as sports therapy or prenatal massage may command higher rates. Factors such as tips, which often add 15-25% to session fees, and the stark pay gap between employed positions and self-employed practices can heavily influence overall compensation. To maximize earnings in this specific market, aspiring therapists are advised to focus on building strong client relationships, specializing in high-demand areas, and effectively marketing their services.
More salary data for North Little Rock, AR:
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
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 $42,395 for massage therapistsin the North Little Rock 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 North Little Rock 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