Massage Therapist Salary in Belleville, IL: $61,717 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Belleville, IL earns a median $61,717/year (≈ $29.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Belleville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $63,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Belleville, Illinois, the projected median massage therapist salary for 2026 is set at $61,717, a figure that slightly trails behind the national average of $61,975. The salary range for massage therapists in the area varies significantly, with the lower end at $37,698 and the top earners reaching $95,661. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the local cost of living, which is below the national average at a cost of living index of 97.1. The potential for additional income through tips at spas and wellness centers adds an interesting dimension to the overall compensation picture, making Belleville a competitive market for massage therapists who can effectively attract clientele and provide exceptional service.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,698 | $18.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,943 | $22.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,717 | $29.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,998 | $37.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,661 | $46.00 |
Median Salary Position
0.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belleville
In Belleville, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,963 (2026 est.). At $61,717, the local median is 0.42% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Belleville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Belleville Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Belleville median: $61,717/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Belleville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,693 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -0.42% less |
Massage Therapists in Belleville, IL earn a median of $61,717 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $64,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Belleville has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Belleville, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $61,717 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,642
2025 BLS Actual
$58,207
2026 Current Est.
$61,717
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Belleville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,642 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,439 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,715 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,308 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,207 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,717 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,438 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belleville metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $42,642 (2019) to $58,207 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,438 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,796 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville 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) | $37,698 – $46,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,943 – $61,717 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,717 – $78,998 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,998 – $95,661 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Belleville
The job market for massage therapists in Belleville is relatively stable, with approximately ten professionals employed in the area. This small workforce means that every massage therapist has the opportunity to carve out a distinct niche. With a cost of living index of 97.1, therapists may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas. Spa employers, particularly those affiliated with franchises like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, may offer base pay that can be on the lower end of the spectrum, whereas specialized practices, such as those focusing on sports medicine or oncology, tend to compensate at higher rates. Therapists who go self-employed may experience a wider income gap, as they can charge premium rates for direct-pay services, often benefiting from tips that can make up 15-25% of their income. To maximize earnings in this sector, therapists in Belleville should consider diversifying their skill sets and building a strong personal brand to attract and retain clients.
More salary data for Belleville, IL:
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 $58,207 for massage therapistsin the Belleville 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 Belleville 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