Massage Therapist Salary in Ankeny, IA: $54,446 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Ankeny, IA earns a median $54,446/year (≈ $26.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Ankeny's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $60,228 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, IA, the projected median annual salary for a massage therapist in 2026 is anticipated to reach $54,446, which is notably lower than the national median of $61,975. Salaries range from $32,113 at the 10th percentile to $84,392 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into the income opportunities available in the area. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for the regional cost of living. While the massage therapist pay in Ankeny may be below the national average, the potential for tip income at local spas can significantly enhance earnings, making this market viable for therapists willing to leverage their skills in high-demand environments.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,113 | $15.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,677 | $19.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,446 | $26.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,691 | $33.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,392 | $40.58 |
Median Salary Position
12.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ankeny
In Ankeny, IA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,279 (2026 est.). At $54,446, the local median is 12.15% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ankeny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ankeny Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Ankeny median: $54,446/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ankeny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,015 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -12.15% less |
Massage Therapists in Ankeny, IA earn a median of $54,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.15% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $56,015.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ankeny has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ankeny, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $54,446 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,228 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,619
2025 BLS Actual
$51,350
2026 Current Est.
$54,446
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,321 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,591 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,169 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,446 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ankeny metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,619 (2019) to $51,350 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,111 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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) | $32,113 – $40,677 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,677 – $54,446 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,446 – $69,691 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,691 – $84,392 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Ankeny
Currently, there are 16 massage therapists employed within Ankeny, suggesting a steady demand for these professionals in the local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, which is below the national average, therapists may find that their earnings can stretch further in this region. Employers in Ankeny that typically offer higher pay include physical therapy clinics and upscale spas, where specialty skills in areas such as sports or prenatal massage can command better rates. Additionally, self-employed therapists have the opportunity to earn substantially more—often clearing between $80 to $150 per hour—with the caveat of taking on overhead costs and marketing. This pay gap between employed and self-employed practitioners underscores the importance of strategic positioning, whether through enhancing skills, optimizing marketing efforts, or tapping into popular franchise models like Massage Envy.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
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 $51,350 for massage therapistsin the Ankeny 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 Ankeny 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