Massage Therapist Salary in Rockford, IL: $64,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Rockford, IL earns a median $64,551/year (≈ $31.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $70,047 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, massage therapists can expect a median annual salary of $64,551 in 2026, reflecting the local market's competitive nature. Salaries span a range from $38,924 at the 10th percentile to as high as $85,693 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse earning potential within the profession. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these figures indicate that massage therapist pay in Rockford IA is growing and exceeds the national median by approximately 4.16%. The local job market for massage therapists is supported by factors such as the presence of established spas and clinics as well as a steadily increasing demand for wellness services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,924 | $18.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,128 | $26.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,551 | $31.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,227 | $40.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,693 | $41.20 |
Median Salary Position
4.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,769 (2026 est.). At $64,551, the local median is 4.16% above the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be above the median
How Rockford Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Rockford median: $64,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $64,680 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +4.16% more |
Massage Therapists in Rockford, IL earn a median of $64,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.16% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.20% below the Illinois state average of $64,680.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $64,551 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,047 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,280
2025 BLS Actual
$60,880
2026 Current Est.
$64,551
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Rockford (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 | $46,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 26.1% from $48,280 (2019) to $60,880 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,163 (41.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $38,924 – $54,128 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,128 – $64,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,551 – $85,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,227 – $85,693 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Rockford
The employment landscape for massage therapists in Rockford is bolstered by around 230 professionals currently working in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 92.154, therapists effectively enjoy better take-home pay since expenses are below the national average. Among the various employers, franchise chains like Massage Envy generally pay less, while independent practitioners in high-end spas or specialty clinics can command higher rates, particularly for specialized treatment techniques that attract premium clientele. The wage disparity stems from the business models adopted—self-employed therapists can earn significantly more per session, especially when factoring in client-tipping, which can contribute 15-25% to their hourly earnings. For those seeking to maximize their income, building a solid client base through referrals and maintaining a strong online presence for self-marketing are essential strategies in navigating Rockford’s massage therapy market.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $60,880 for massage therapistsin the Rockford 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