Massage Therapist Salary in Iowa: $65,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $65,055/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,963 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($76,090), West Des Moines ($75,107), Davenport ($62,400).
The projected average median salary for massage therapists in Iowa in 2026 is $65,055, which is 5.0% higher than the national median of $61,975. The earnings in this profession can vary significantly across the state, with Des Moines offering the highest pay at $80,678, while Fort Dodge has the lowest at $51,427. This salary gap can be attributed to various factors including the cost of living, local demand for wellness services, and the concentration of clients in urban areas compared to rural settings. Iowa's licensing requirements for massage therapists include successful completion of an accredited program and passing a licensing exam. The scope of practice laws are clear, allowing therapists to perform a variety of techniques to enhance physical wellness. The job market for massage therapists in Iowa reflects a healthy outlook with a projected annual growth rate of 6.03%, driven by an increasing public awareness of health and wellness, aging population, and demand for therapeutic services. As of now, there are approximately 533 massage therapists employed across the state, with the top cities for employment projection being Des Moines, West Des Moines, Davenport, Sioux City, and Dubuque.
Iowa Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $30,644 (lowest entry-level) to $123,436 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa massage therapists earn 4.97% more than the national median (+$3,080/year difference).
Iowa Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Iowa range from $40,712 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,796 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,055. The Iowa median is $3,080 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $31.28/hr. Approximately 533 massage therapists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,165
2025 BLS Actual
$61,355
2026 Current Est.
$65,055
2019–2027 Growth
+80.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,165 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,251 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,963 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,849 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,005 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,355 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,978 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 60.8% from $38,165 (2019) to $61,355 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,978 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,813 (80.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $51,427 |
| Johnston | $52,000 |
| Ottumwa | $52,126 |
| Muscatine | $52,325 |
| Cedar Rapids | $52,326 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Des Moines | $79,636 | 90.4 | $88,093 |
| Des Moines | $80,678 | 91.701 | $87,979 |
| Sioux City | $65,622 | 86.454 | $75,904 |
| Davenport | $66,163 | 89.079 | $74,275 |
| Dubuque | $56,692 | 90.4 | $62,712 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,712 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,055 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,796 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $80,678 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $79,636 |
| 3 | Davenport | $66,163 |
| 4 | Sioux City | $65,622 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $56,692 |
| 6 | Iowa City | $55,800 |
| 7 | Ames | $55,752 |
| 8 | Cedar Falls | $55,504 |
| 9 | Marion | $55,090 |
| 10 | Waterloo | $54,527 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $54,446 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $54,105 |
| 13 | Burlington | $53,795 |
| 14 | Waukee | $53,601 |
| 15 | Urbandale | $53,529 |
| 16 | Bettendorf | $53,525 |
| 17 | Marshalltown | $53,360 |
| 18 | Coralville | $53,290 |
| 19 | Mason City | $53,043 |
| 20 | North Liberty | $52,835 |
| 21 | Clinton | $52,573 |
| 22 | Cedar Rapids | $52,326 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $52,325 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $52,126 |
| 25 | Johnston | $52,000 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $51,427 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Iowa?
How does Iowa massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Iowa?
How many massage therapists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for massage therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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