Massage Therapist Salary in Muscatine, IA: $52,325 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Muscatine, IA earns a median $52,325/year (≈ $25.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $57,882 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in Muscatine, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $52,325 in 2026, which reflects the local market's dynamics and trends. The salary range for this occupation spans from $33,836 at the 10th percentile to $81,103 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant variance based on experience, employer type, and additional factors like specialty training. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost considerations, suggest that earnings in Muscatine lag behind the national median of $61,975 by approximately 15.57%. This gap highlights the local labor market's inherent characteristics, where franchise operations such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone tend to offer more stable, yet generally lower, compensation compared to independent and self-employed therapists.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,836 | $16.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,092 | $19.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,325 | $25.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,976 | $32.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,103 | $38.99 |
Median Salary Position
15.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,267 (2026 est.). At $52,325, the local median is 15.57% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $52,325/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,022 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.57% less |
Massage Therapists in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $52,325 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 $56,022.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,325 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,882 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,153
2025 BLS Actual
$49,349
2026 Current Est.
$52,325
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,606 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,698 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,526 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,349 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,325 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,480 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,153 (2019) to $49,349 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,480 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,327 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $33,836 – $41,092 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,092 – $52,325 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,325 – $66,976 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,976 – $81,103 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Muscatine
A closer examination of the local job market reveals that Muscatine hosts only five massage therapists, indicating a niche field with limited competition. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, suggesting a lower-than-average cost structure, which can enhance the purchasing power of massage therapist salaries. Within Muscatine, franchises and day spas typically provide foundational employment opportunities, while self-employed practitioners often command higher fees—potentially exceeding $100 per hour for specialized services. Factors such as tips, which can comprise 15-25% of service charges, further widen the income spectrum. The notable income disparity highlights the importance of marketing oneself effectively and possibly pursuing specialty certifications to increase overall earnings. For those navigating this market, focusing on building a loyal client base through exceptional service can lead to significant improvement in massage therapist pay in Muscatine IA over time.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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 $49,349 for massage therapistsin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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