Massage Therapist Salary in Oak Park, IL: $64,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Oak Park, IL earns a median $64,234/year (≈ $30.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $66,152 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in Oak Park, Illinois, can anticipate a median annual salary of $64,234 in 2026, reflecting a competitive local market that offers better pay compared to the national median of $61,975. The salary range for this occupation spans from $37,256 at the 10th percentile to $99,563 at the 90th percentile, supported by state-level data and adjustments for regional cost of living. With tip income supplementing base pay—often ranging from 15% to 25% of session fees at spas—many professionals can enhance their earning potential significantly. This market dynamic makes Oak Park an attractive location for those considering a career in massage therapy.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,256 | $17.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,617 | $23.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,234 | $30.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,563 | $47.86 |
Median Salary Position
3.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,307 (2026 est.). At $64,234, the local median is 3.65% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $64,234/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,687 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +3.65% more |
Massage Therapists in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $64,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $64,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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.
Oak Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $64,234 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,152 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,381
2025 BLS Actual
$60,581
2026 Current Est.
$64,234
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Oak Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,381 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,678 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,197 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $44,381 (2019) to $60,581 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,726 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $37,256 – $49,617 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,617 – $64,234 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,234 – $82,220 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,220 – $99,563 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Oak Park
In the Oak Park job market, where only 10 massage therapists are currently employed, understanding local economic factors is key for maximizing earning potential. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which can positively impact take-home pay. Employers such as high-end spas and integrative medicine programs generally offer the most lucrative compensation. The pay disparity between self-employed and franchise chain employees is substantial, with independent therapists often able to set rates and retain a larger portion of earnings. Aspirants in Oak Park who focus on developing specialties, such as sports therapy or oncology massage, may further elevate their pay and client base. For those working within franchised settings, capitalizing on consistent client flow while actively pursuing tips can also lead to enhanced financial outcomes.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $60,581 for massage therapistsin the Oak Park 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 Oak Park 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