Massage Therapist Salary in Cicero, IL: $62,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Cicero, IL earns a median $62,631/year (≈ $30.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Cicero's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,502 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Cicero, Illinois, the 2026 estimated salary for massage therapists is $62,631 annually, which slightly outpaces the national median of $61,975. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at around $36,547 and experienced therapists earning up to $97,078. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living conditions. For massage therapists considering self-employment in Cicero, the potential for cash pay can be substantial, often reaching $80 to $150 per hour for direct-pay services. However, this comes with the challenge of overhead costs and the necessity for effective self-marketing, making it a trade-off for those seeking greater autonomy in their practice.
About the Cicero Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,547 | $17.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,497 | $22.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,631 | $30.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,167 | $38.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,078 | $46.67 |
Median Salary Position
1.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cicero
In Cicero, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,531 (2026 est.). At $62,631, the local median is 1.06% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cicero: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cicero Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Cicero median: $62,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cicero Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,701 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +1.06% more |
Massage Therapists in Cicero, IL earn a median of $62,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.06% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $64,701.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cicero 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.
Cicero, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $62,631 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,502 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,273
2025 BLS Actual
$59,069
2026 Current Est.
$62,631
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,273 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,082 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,407 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,388 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,896 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,994 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,069 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,408 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cicero metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $43,273 (2019) to $59,069 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,408 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,135 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cicero 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) | $36,547 – $46,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,497 – $62,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,631 – $80,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,167 – $97,078 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Cicero
The employment landscape in Cicero consists of approximately 21 massage therapists, indicating a relatively stable job market for this profession. The area's cost of living index is 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost environments. Among local employers, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics typically offer competitive compensation, but franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone may provide more consistent client volumes while paying less overall. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings include tip income—which can range from 15% to 25% of the total session fee, particularly in spas—and the specialties some therapists pursue, such as oncology or sports massage, which can command higher rates. For those seeking to optimize their pay in Cicero, building a robust client base through self-marketing and considering in-demand specializations could prove essential in navigating compensation variations.
More salary data for Cicero, 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 $59,069 for massage therapistsin the Cicero 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 Cicero 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