Massage Therapist Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $52,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $52,326/year (≈ $25.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $58,818 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the projected salary for massage therapists in 2026 reflects a median annual income of $52,326, which is notably lower than the national median of $61,975. Salaries in the area vary significantly, ranging from $47,353 at the 10th percentile to as high as $96,455 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the pay gradient within the industry, where franchise opportunities, such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, tend to offer less compensation compared to independent or self-employed practitioners. The local job market remains stable, providing opportunities for qualified therapists, yet the lower salary numbers may influence decisions for those considering various employment models.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,353 | $22.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,806 | $24.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,326 | $25.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,455 | $46.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,455 | $46.38 |
Median Salary Position
15.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,102 (2026 est.). At $52,326, the local median is 15.57% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Cedar Rapids Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $52,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,023 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.57% less |
Massage Therapists in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $52,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.57% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $56,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,326 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,818 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,910
2025 BLS Actual
$49,350
2026 Current Est.
$52,326
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,481 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 20.6% from $40,910 (2019) to $49,350 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,481 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,571 (35.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $47,353 – $51,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,806 – $52,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,326 – $96,455 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,455 – $96,455 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Cedar Rapids
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are about 70 employed massage therapists in Cedar Rapids, indicating a relatively small but established field. The cost of living index in the area is 88.963, suggesting that the purchasing power aligns with the local salary structure. Among employers, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics often pay higher rates than spas or franchise chains, which may help narrow the gap between lower and higher earners in the field. Factors such as tips from clients, the type of specialty offered, and the employment model significantly contribute to the differences in pay; self-employed therapists can potentially earn between $80 and $150 per session while managing their own business expenses. For those navigating the Cedar Rapids market, positioning oneself in high-demand specialties or offering services at competitive price points can enhance earning potential effectively.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, 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 $49,350 for massage therapistsin the Cedar Rapids 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