Massage Therapist Salary in Liberal, KS: $52,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Liberal, KS earns a median $52,542/year (≈ $25.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Liberal's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $57,802 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, the projected median annual massage therapist salary in 2026 reaches $52,542, a figure that falls below the national median of $61,975, indicating a modest regional pay scale. The salary range for massage therapists in the area spans from $33,684 at the 10th percentile to $81,441 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variability in compensation based on experience, employment structure, and the type of services offered. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the contrast between franchise employment at establishments like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone and independent practice, which typically commands higher hourly rates but requires self-sustaining marketing efforts. This dynamic suggests that while working within a franchise may provide a more predictable volume of clients, it tends to yield lower pay compared to independent or self-employed therapists who can capitalize on specialty services and tips.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,684 | $16.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,175 | $19.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,542 | $25.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,883 | $32.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,441 | $39.16 |
Median Salary Position
15.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
In Liberal, KS, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,757 (2026 est.). At $52,542, the local median is 15.22% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Liberal Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Liberal median: $52,542/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $56,315 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.22% less |
Massage Therapists in Liberal, KS earn a median of $52,542 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $56,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberal 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.
Liberal, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,542 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,802 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,303
2025 BLS Actual
$49,554
2026 Current Est.
$52,542
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,303 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,981 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,271 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,892 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,607 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberal metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,303 (2019) to $49,554 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,407 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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) | $33,684 – $41,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,175 – $52,542 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,542 – $66,883 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,883 – $81,441 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Liberal
The job market for massage therapists in Liberal indicates a stable yet small employment base, with only four professionals currently in the field. The local cost of living index stands at 90.9, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, living expenses are also comparatively reduced, impacting effective purchasing power. Among various employers, franchise positions typically offer lower pay than independent practices and specialized clinics, which may provide higher compensation for focused therapeutic services like sports or oncology massage. Factors influencing the broad salary range include the difference between employed therapists and those who are self-employed—with significant earnings potential for cash-pay practitioners—alongside variations in tip income, which can traditionally add 15-25% to a session's earnings at spas. Therapists seeking to maximize their pay in Liberal might consider diversifying their skill sets or focusing on high-demand specialties to enhance their income potential.
More salary data for Liberal, 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 $49,554 for massage therapistsin the Liberal 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 Liberal 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