Massage Therapist Salary in Bloomington, IL: $58,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Bloomington, IL earns a median $58,476/year (≈ $28.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $62,516 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Bloomington, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $58,476, which falls below the national median of $61,975. Salary ranges in Bloomington vary significantly, with the lowest 10% of earners making about $33,081 while the top 10% can expect to earn as much as $79,183. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights substantial differences in pay between those employed at franchise chains, such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, and independent practitioners. Typically, franchise employment offers more consistent booking but at lower rates, while self-employed therapists often maximize their earnings but must handle the associated risks and business intricacies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,081 | $15.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,476 | $28.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,070 | $37.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,183 | $38.06 |
Median Salary Position
5.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,102 (2026 est.). At $58,476, the local median is 5.65% below the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be above the median
How Bloomington Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $58,476/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,685 | -9.60% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -5.65% less |
Massage Therapists in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $58,476 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.65% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 9.60% below the Illinois state average of $64,685.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $58,476 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,516 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,910
2025 BLS Actual
$55,150
2026 Current Est.
$58,476
2019–2027 Growth
+72.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 53.6% from $35,910 (2019) to $55,150 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,092 (72.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $33,081 – $39,910 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,910 – $58,476 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,476 – $78,070 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,070 – $79,183 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Bloomington
The job market for massage therapy in Bloomington is relatively stable, with approximately 50 therapists employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.537, which is below the national average, indicating that therapists may find their take-home pay stretches further in this locality. In terms of earning potential, franchises and day spas tend to pay less compared to chiropractic or physical therapy clinics and high-end boutique spas. Factors contributing to pay discrepancies include the self-employed versus employed structure, where independent therapists can earn significantly more per session, particularly when offering specialized services. Those looking to boost their salary should consider diversifying their skill set, actively participating in continuing education programs from organizations like ABMP and AMTA, and exploring niche services, such as sports or prenatal massage, to attract a broader clientele while navigating Bloomington's massage therapist pay landscape.
More salary data for Bloomington, 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 $55,150 for massage therapistsin the Bloomington 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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