Massage Therapist Salary in Coralville, IA: $53,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Coralville, IA earns a median $53,290/year (≈ $25.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $58,949 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Coralville, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists in 2026 is estimated at $53,290, which is approximately 14.01% lower than the national median of $61,975. Salaries range from as low as $31,645 at the 10th percentile to as high as $82,598 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential within the local market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect not only base pay but also illustrate the additional income possibilities through tips, especially in spa settings. For massage therapists working in establishments like resorts or day spas, tips can contribute significantly to their overall compensation, enhancing the financial attractiveness of their roles despite the lower base salary compared to the national average.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,645 | $15.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,760 | $19.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,290 | $25.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,002 | $32.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,598 | $39.71 |
Median Salary Position
14.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,953 (2026 est.). At $53,290, the local median is 14.01% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Coralville median: $53,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,035 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -14.01% less |
Massage Therapists in Coralville, IA earn a median of $53,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.01% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $56,035.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville 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.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $53,290 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,949 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,819
2025 BLS Actual
$50,259
2026 Current Est.
$53,290
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,819 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,507 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,336 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,873 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,273 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,259 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,503 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,819 (2019) to $50,259 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,503 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,684 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $31,645 – $39,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,760 – $53,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,290 – $68,002 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,002 – $82,598 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Coralville
The local job market in Coralville sees a modest number of employed massage therapists, with just six practitioners currently in the area. This limited employment pool suggests a niche market where either established therapists might enjoy stable business or new entrants may find challenges due to lower demand. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the affordability of living in Coralville may somewhat balance the relative salary figures, though it still places pressure on disposable income. Compensation varies significantly between employment types; franchise chains such as Massage Envy tend to offer lower pay, while self-employed therapists have the potential to command higher hourly rates, particularly if specializing in in-demand areas like sports or oncology therapy. To maximize earnings in Coralville, therapists should consider expanding their client base through self-marketing, networking with local health professionals, and potentially engaging in specialty training that enhances their value in the competitive marketplace.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Coralville?
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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 $50,259 for massage therapistsin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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