Massage Therapist Salary in Garden City, KS: $55,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Garden City, KS earns a median $55,831/year (≈ $26.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $61,420 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual massage therapist salary in Garden City, Kansas, is $55,831, which reflects a notable deviation from the national figure of $61,975, placing it about 9.91% lower. The salary range for massage therapists in this area extends from $32,976 at the 10th percentile to as high as $86,539 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and take into account local cost adjustments. It’s interesting to note that therapists working in franchise establishments like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone often experience lower earnings than their self-employed counterparts. This salary gradient highlights the varying pay structures depending on the type of employer, influencing the financial outlook for professionals in the area.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,976 | $15.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,678 | $20.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,831 | $26.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,464 | $34.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,539 | $41.61 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, KS, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,563 (2026 est.). At $55,831, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden City Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Garden City median: $55,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $56,338 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -9.91% less |
Massage Therapists in Garden City, KS earn a median of $55,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $56,338.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $55,831 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,420 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,575
2025 BLS Actual
$52,656
2026 Current Est.
$55,831
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,575 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,296 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,918 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,827 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,837 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,656 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,198 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $38,575 (2019) to $52,656 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,198 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,623 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden 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) | $32,976 – $41,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,678 – $55,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,831 – $71,464 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,464 – $86,539 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Garden City
Within Garden City's job market, only six massage therapists are currently employed, revealing a rather limited scope for growth in this field. The cost of living index in Garden City stands at 90.9, which suggests that the purchasing power for therapists is relatively favorable when compared to other regions. Among various employers, independent practices or higher-end spas may provide better pay, especially for those specializing in niches like oncology or sports massage, where therapists can command higher rates. The significant variation in earnings largely originates from factors such as tip income, which can add an additional 15-25% of a session fee at spas, as well as the work involved in self-marketing for independent therapists. Strategies for maximizing income in Garden City could include diversifying service offerings and building a robust local client base, which could greatly enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Garden City, KS in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Garden City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Garden City?
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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 $52,656 for massage therapistsin the Garden 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 Garden 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