Massage Therapist Salary in Gurnee, IL: $63,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Gurnee, IL earns a median $63,765/year (≈ $30.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, the anticipated median annual salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $63,765, slightly surpassing the national median of $61,975. For practitioners in this area, salaries can span significantly, ranging from $37,123 at the lower end to $98,836 at the upper tier. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect the local job market's dynamics. Given the reliance on tip income in many spa settings—which can add an additional 15-25% to session fees—those working at established spas may see their earnings influenced by client preferences and service quality. This competitive pay environment reveals Gurnee's abundant opportunities for massage therapists seeking to establish a stable career in the health and wellness sector.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,123 | $17.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,152 | $22.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,765 | $30.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,620 | $39.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,836 | $47.51 |
Median Salary Position
2.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,713 (2026 est.). At $63,765, the local median is 2.89% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gurnee Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $63,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,736 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +2.89% more |
Massage Therapists in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $63,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.89% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $64,736.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $63,765 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,669 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,057
2025 BLS Actual
$60,139
2026 Current Est.
$63,765
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,057 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,908 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,845 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,139 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,610 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $44,057 (2019) to $60,139 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,610 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,553 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $37,123 – $47,152 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,152 – $63,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,765 – $81,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,620 – $98,836 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Gurnee
Currently, there are only eight massage therapists employed in Gurnee, which underscores a unique aspect of the local job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, indicating a lower living expense relative to the national average, thus enhancing the purchasing power of the salary received. When examining the best paying employers, sports medicine and physical therapy clinics often provide more competitive compensation compared to franchises like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone. The disparity between low and high pay in Gurnee is driven by factors such as employment status—self-employed therapists can command considerably higher rates—but bear the risk of fluctuating income due to the absence of a steady client base. To maximize earnings, practitioners should consider specializing in high-demand areas like sports or oncology massage, as well as exploring both employed and self-employed pathways that align with their professional goals and lifestyle.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 $60,139 for massage therapistsin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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