Massage Therapist Salary in Joliet, IL: $64,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Joliet, IL earns a median $64,288/year (≈ $30.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $66,208 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for a massage therapist in Joliet, Illinois, stands at $64,288, reflecting a solid local market that offers competitive compensation compared to the national median of $61,975. Salary figures range widely, with earnings from $37,384 at the 10th percentile to as high as $99,647 for those in the 90th percentile. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and take into account local adjustments in living costs, presenting a favorable compensation picture particularly for those working in spa environments. With tip income being a significant aspect of earnings in this sector, therapists commonly receive 15-25% of service fees, contributing further to their overall remuneration and enhancing the appeal of this field in Joliet’s job market.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,384 | $17.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,716 | $22.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,288 | $30.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,289 | $39.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,647 | $47.90 |
Median Salary Position
3.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,263 (2026 est.). At $64,288, the local median is 3.73% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Joliet median: $64,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,676 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +3.73% more |
Massage Therapists in Joliet, IL earn a median of $64,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.73% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $64,676.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $64,288 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,208 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,419
2025 BLS Actual
$60,632
2026 Current Est.
$64,288
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,419 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,248 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,661 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,721 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,375 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,237 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $44,419 (2019) to $60,632 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,746 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $37,384 – $47,716 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,716 – $64,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,288 – $82,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,289 – $99,647 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Joliet
In Joliet, the job market appears robust, with 25 massage therapists currently employed in the area. The cost of living index is notably positioned at 97.1, slightly below the national average, allowing for a reasonable purchasing power for those entering this profession. High-paying opportunities typically arise from high-end spas or boutique wellness centers, while franchises like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone may provide steadier booking but at lower pay rates. The disparity in earnings can also be influenced by the employment structure — self-employed therapists often command significantly higher session rates but must manage their own overhead. Specialists in niche areas such as oncology or sports massage might also find increased pay opportunities. Aspiring massage therapists in Joliet should consider enhancing their skill sets and exploring various employer types to maximize earnings while navigating the local employment landscape effectively.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $60,632 for massage therapistsin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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