Massage Therapist Salary in Carbondale, IL: $60,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Carbondale, IL earns a median $60,606/year (≈ $29.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Carbondale's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carbondale, Illinois, the massage therapist salary averages around $60,606 annually for 2026, providing a competitive option within the job market. This figure represents a broad salary range from $39,488 to $93,938, reflecting the diversity in experience and specialty among therapists in the area. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, indicate that massage therapy can be a nuanced profession where income may be augmented significantly through tips, particularly in spa settings. Understanding the dynamics of local employers, including the prevalence of spas and wellness clinics, is essential for those considering careers in this field.
About the Carbondale Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,488 | $18.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,824 | $22.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,606 | $29.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,576 | $37.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,938 | $45.16 |
Median Salary Position
2.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carbondale
In Carbondale, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,450 (2026 est.). At $60,606, the local median is 2.21% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carbondale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carbondale Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Carbondale median: $60,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carbondale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,681 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -2.21% less |
Massage Therapists in Carbondale, IL earn a median of $60,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.21% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $64,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carbondale 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.
Carbondale, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $60,606 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,416 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,874
2025 BLS Actual
$57,159
2026 Current Est.
$60,606
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,874 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,657 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,874 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,475 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,159 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,260 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carbondale metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $41,874 (2019) to $57,159 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,386 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carbondale 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) | $39,488 – $47,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,824 – $60,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,606 – $77,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,576 – $93,938 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Carbondale
The local job market for massage therapists in Carbondale consists of about five employed professionals, indicating a small but potentially tight-knit community. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the area presents an interesting backdrop where purchasing power may be impacted positively, allowing therapists to sustain themselves well despite the slightly lower median salary than the national average. Employers like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone may offer steady work with predictable hours, but pay may not match the earnings potential of self-employed therapists who can strategically set rates and capture a higher percentage of income. Furthermore, the variability between earnings can be attributed to additional factors such as specialty training in areas like sports or oncology and the ability to receive tips, which typically range from 15% to 25% of the session fee at spas. A successful strategy for maximizing pay in this market includes cultivating a client base, possibly through mobile services or establishing a solo practice, where well-managed overhead can significantly enhance earnings.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Carbondale, IL in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Carbondale?
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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 $57,159 for massage therapistsin the Carbondale 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 Carbondale 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