Massage Therapist Salary in Burlington, IA: $53,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Burlington, IA earns a median $53,795/year (≈ $25.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $59,508 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Burlington, IA can expect a median annual salary of $53,795, providing a competitive income relative to the national average of $61,975. The local salary range highlights the variability in earnings, with entry-level professionals earning around $32,589 and seasoned therapists achieving up to $83,383. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. While franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone offer consistent work with reliable pay structures, many therapists who choose self-employment may find opportunities that significantly boost their income potential. This dynamic creates an interesting contrast in the Burlington market, where earnings can notably fluctuate depending on the business model adopted.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,589 | $15.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,777 | $19.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,795 | $25.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,858 | $33.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,383 | $40.09 |
Median Salary Position
13.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,794 (2026 est.). At $53,795, the local median is 13.2% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Burlington median: $53,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,037 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -13.20% less |
Massage Therapists in Burlington, IA earn a median of $53,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.20% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $56,037.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $53,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,508 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$37,169
2025 BLS Actual
$50,736
2026 Current Est.
$53,795
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,169 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,863 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,719 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,736 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,039 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,169 (2019) to $50,736 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,870 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $32,589 – $40,777 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,777 – $53,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,795 – $68,858 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,858 – $83,383 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Burlington
In Burlington, the job market is relatively small, with only four massage therapists actively employed in the area. The local cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, they still provide decent purchasing power within the community. Among the various employment options, franchise spas tend to lower overall compensation compared to independent businesses or higher-end establishments. This disparity arises from differing pay structures, with tips often providing an additional revenue stream that can elevate overall massage therapist pay in Burlington, IA. To maximize earnings in this environment, therapists should consider combining franchise work with independent contracts or mobile services, capitalizing on their flexibility and potential client base. Specializing in high-demand areas such as sports or prenatal massage can also effectively enhance earning potential while meeting client needs.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Burlington, IA in 2026?
Is Burlington, IA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Burlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Burlington?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Burlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $50,736 for massage therapistsin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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