Massage Therapist Salary in Iowa City, IA: $55,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Iowa City, IA earns a median $55,800/year (≈ $26.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,726 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in Iowa City, IA can expect a median annual salary of $55,800 in 2026, which falls short against the national median of $61,975. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $32,365 at the 10th percentile to $86,491 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate an interesting landscape for practitioners. Self-employed therapists have the potential to earn significantly more, especially considering cash-pay structures that can reach upwards of $150 per hour for direct clients. However, this also comes with overhead expenses and the pressures of marketing their services. For those choosing employment, various settings—ranging from spas to chiropractic clinics—present differing pay scales, influencing overall earning potential in Iowa City.
About the Iowa City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,365 | $15.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,176 | $19.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,800 | $26.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,425 | $34.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,491 | $41.58 |
Median Salary Position
9.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,126 (2026 est.). At $55,800, the local median is 9.96% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $55,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,025 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -9.96% less |
Massage Therapists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $55,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.96% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $56,025.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City 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.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $55,800 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,726 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,554
2025 BLS Actual
$52,627
2026 Current Est.
$55,800
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,237 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,893 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,218 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,627 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $38,554 (2019) to $52,627 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,611 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $32,365 – $40,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,176 – $55,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,800 – $71,425 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,425 – $86,491 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Iowa City
The job market in Iowa City supports around 14 massage therapists currently, reflecting a modest pool of employment opportunities within the area. The cost of living index is reported at 90.4, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance purchasing power for massage therapists. Among local employers, higher-paying positions are often found in chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, as well as hospital integrative medicine programs, where specialized skills can command better rates. The pay disparity in this industry is influenced by several factors, including the difference between self-employed earnings and those working in franchise chains, with the latter typically offering steadier hours at a lower pay scale. For maximizing salary in Iowa City, therapists might consider specializing in areas such as oncology or sports massage, where additional premiums are often awarded.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $52,627 for massage therapistsin the Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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