Massage Therapist Salary in Van Buren, AR: $49,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Van Buren, AR earns a median $49,991/year (≈ $24.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $57,527 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for massage therapists in Van Buren, Arkansas, stands at a median of $49,991 annually. This figure reveals a significant gap when compared to the national median of $61,975, situating the local pay approximately 19.34% lower. Those in the field can expect to earn between $31,864 at the lower end (P10) and up to $77,486 at the high end (P90), indicating a wide salary range that reflects diverse employment contexts. These local estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, revealing that while job opportunities exist, they may not yield the highest compensation relative to national standards. Given the small local workforce of five employed massage therapists, the job market appears competitive, influencing pay scales and dynamics.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,864 | $15.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,883 | $18.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,991 | $24.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,988 | $30.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,486 | $37.25 |
Median Salary Position
19.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,622 (2026 est.). At $49,991, the local median is 19.34% below the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Van Buren Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $49,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $53,870 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -19.34% less |
Massage Therapists in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $49,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.34% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $53,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren 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.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $49,991 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,527 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,540
2025 BLS Actual
$47,148
2026 Current Est.
$49,991
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,839 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,615 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,039 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,148 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $34,540 (2019) to $47,148 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,465 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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) | $31,864 – $38,883 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,883 – $49,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,991 – $63,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,988 – $77,486 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Van Buren
Looking closer at the job market in Van Buren, the cost of living index is notably lower at 86.9, suggesting that residents can stretch their salaries further than in more expensive areas. This local economy setup allows massage therapists to maximize their take-home pay if they consider working in various settings. Higher earners often engage with luxury spas or specialized clinics, which tend to pay more than franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone. The employment structure significantly affects earnings, with self-employed therapists frequently seeing better hourly rates than those salaried at franchises. Additionally, tip income from clients, which can range from 15% to 25% of service fees, further boosts earnings. To increase their overall massage therapist pay in Van Buren, professionals should explore niches such as oncology or sports therapy, where specialization can command higher fees.
More salary data for Van Buren, 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 $47,148 for massage therapistsin the Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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