Massage Therapist Salary in Lawrence, KS: $51,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Lawrence, KS earns a median $51,827/year (≈ $24.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $57,430 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for massage therapists in Lawrence, Kansas, is set at $51,827, which reflects a significant disparity compared to the national median of $61,975. Those in this profession can expect to earn between $40,323 and $69,026 based on experience and specialization, offering varying opportunities for financial success. These figures originate from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, which suggests a competitive local market for massage therapy services. Lawrence's relatively modest pay structure creates an interesting context for practitioners, particularly when considering self-employment options against the backdrop of overhead and marketing responsibilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,323 | $19.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,459 | $22.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,827 | $24.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,207 | $28.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,026 | $33.19 |
Median Salary Position
16.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,703 (2026 est.). At $51,827, the local median is 16.37% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $51,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $56,334 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -16.37% less |
Massage Therapists in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $51,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.37% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 8.00% below the Kansas state average of $56,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $51,827 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,430 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,809
2025 BLS Actual
$48,880
2026 Current Est.
$51,827
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,478 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,229 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,696 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $35,809 (2019) to $48,880 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,144 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $40,323 – $47,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,459 – $51,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,827 – $59,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,207 – $69,026 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Lawrence
With 40 massage therapists currently in the area, Lawrence's job market is steady but not saturated, thereby maintaining a balance between available opportunities and demand. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.243, underscoring the significant purchasing power potential for therapists who strategically position themselves. Among various local employers, high-paying options tend to include upscale spas and specialized clinics that focus on sports medicine or integrative health. This occupation's pay variability is influenced by factors like self-employed practitioners capturing direct cash pay and earning tips, while franchise settings often offer lower per-session rates with a more consistent client flow. Therapists can maximize their earnings by actively pursuing niche specialties, optimizing client retention strategies, and potentially transitioning to self-employed roles where they may command higher fees than franchise counterparts.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
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 $48,880 for massage therapistsin the Lawrence 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, 2-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