Massage Therapist Salary in Chicago, IL: $64,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Chicago, IL earns a median $64,890/year (≈ $31.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $62,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the annual salary for massage therapists reflects a significant component of tip income, particularly in spa settings, which can enhance overall earnings. With a projected median salary of $64,890 in 2026, local therapists earn more than the national figure of $61,975, demonstrating the strength of the market. Salary ranges extend from $35,806 at the 10th percentile to $88,005 at the 90th, indicating a diverse earning potential based on factors such as experience, specialty, and employment type. This information comes from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026, and paints a clear picture of the remuneration landscape for massage professionals in Chicago, with opportunities that can cater to various career trajectories.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,806 | $17.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,855 | $23.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,890 | $31.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,226 | $39.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,005 | $42.32 |
Median Salary Position
4.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,199 (2026 est.). At $64,890, the local median is 4.7% above the national median of $61,975.
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How Chicago Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $64,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,696 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +4.70% more |
Massage Therapists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $64,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.70% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.30% above the Illinois state average of $64,696.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,890 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,638 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,280
2025 BLS Actual
$61,200
2026 Current Est.
$64,890
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,803 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 26.8% from $48,280 (2019) to $61,200 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,803 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,523 (42.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $35,806 – $49,855 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,855 – $64,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,890 – $82,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,226 – $88,005 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Chicago
The job market for massage therapists in Chicago is robust, with approximately 3,890 professionals employed in the area. Considering the cost of living index at 103.595, which is above the national average, therapists must be strategic about their career choices to ensure adequate purchasing power. Top-paying opportunities generally arise from settings like hospital integrative medicine programs and specialty practices in sports or oncology, where therapists can command higher fees. Self-employed practitioners often report higher earnings due to direct client payments, although they face challenges with marketing and overhead costs; their rates can vary significantly compared to spa employment, especially with the latter often offering tip-based revenue that comprises 15-25% on top of session fees. Leveraging specialized training or focusing on self-employment in this city can maximize pay, providing tempting alternatives to less lucrative positions within franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $61,200 for massage therapistsin the Chicago 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