Massage Therapist Salary in Paragould, AR: $52,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Paragould, AR earns a median $52,610/year (≈ $25.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Paragould's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $60,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Paragould, AR, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $52,610, a figure that reflects the local job market's dynamics compared to the national median salary of $61,975. The salary range in this area spans from $30,513 at the lower tenth percentile to $81,546 at the upper ninetieth percentile, indicating a wide variation in compensation. Local estimates from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments suggest that the earning potential for massage therapy varies significantly based on employment type. Franchise options like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone tend to offer lower pay rates, while independent practices and self-employed therapists, who benefit from greater flexibility and potential for higher earnings, reflect this disparity in compensation.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,513 | $14.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,370 | $19.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,610 | $25.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,341 | $32.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,546 | $39.21 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paragould
In Paragould, AR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,033 (2026 est.). At $52,610, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paragould: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paragould Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Paragould median: $52,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paragould Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $53,848 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.11% less |
Massage Therapists in Paragould, AR earn a median of $52,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $53,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paragould 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.
Paragould, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,610 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,541 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,350
2025 BLS Actual
$49,618
2026 Current Est.
$52,610
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,029 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,326 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,952 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,618 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paragould metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,350 (2019) to $49,618 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,432 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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) | $30,513 – $40,370 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,370 – $52,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,610 – $67,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,341 – $81,546 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Paragould
The job market in Paragould currently employs just seven massage therapists, which limits the overall competition but also underscores challenges in job availability. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, salaries here provide more purchasing power compared to urban areas. Notably, spa chains, chiropractic practices, and resort establishments may provide the most consistent pay, though they often fall short of the earnings potential seen in self-employed settings. Variances in pay can be attributed to factors like tips—a critical source of extra income at spas—and specialty areas such as sports or oncology massage that command higher rates. For those aiming to maximize their massage therapist pay in Paragould, developing a niche practice, building a strong client base through effective marketing, and maintaining competitive pricing strategies are essential strategies.
More salary data for Paragould, 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 $49,618 for massage therapistsin the Paragould 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 Paragould 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