Massage Therapist Salary in Prior Lake, MN: $59,746 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Prior Lake, MN earns a median $59,746/year (≈ $28.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Prior Lake's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $60,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Prior Lake, Minnesota, a massage therapist can expect to earn a median annual salary of $59,746, which is slightly below the national median of $61,975. Salary projections for 2026 show a broad range of earnings, with figures spanning from $34,653 at the 10th percentile to $92,606 at the 90th percentile. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the differing financial landscapes massage therapists face. While many professionals choose to work within established spas and clinics, there is significant potential for cash-pay earnings in self-employed practices, albeit with the associated burden of marketing and overhead costs. This duality illustrates the unique market conditions in Prior Lake, where the self-employed can maximize their earnings but must navigate the challenges of running their own business.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,653 | $16.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,673 | $20.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,746 | $28.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,474 | $36.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,606 | $44.52 |
Median Salary Position
3.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, MN, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,953 (2026 est.). At $59,746, the local median is 3.6% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prior Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prior Lake Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Prior Lake median: $59,746/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prior Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,027 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -3.60% less |
Massage Therapists in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $59,746 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $61,027.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prior Lake has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Prior Lake, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $59,746 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,656 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$41,280
2025 BLS Actual
$56,348
2026 Current Est.
$59,746
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,051 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,067 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,321 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,131 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,746 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $41,280 (2019) to $56,348 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,068 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake 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) | $34,653 – $43,673 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,673 – $59,746 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,746 – $76,474 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,474 – $92,606 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Prior Lake
The job market for massage therapists in Prior Lake currently employs seven individuals, indicating a small but established presence within the community. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, contributing to a generally lower take-home purchasing power than in other regions. In this environment, therapists working in higher-paying establishments, such as chiropractic and physical therapy clinics or upscale spas, may find better compensation than those at franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone. Factors affecting pay include the income opportunities for self-employed therapists who can capitalize on tips, often constituting 15-25% of session fees, and the specialization that can command higher rates. To maximize pay, aspiring professionals should consider leveraging niche skills in areas like oncology or sports massage and strategically positioning themselves in a saturated market to attract clients.
More salary data for Prior Lake, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Prior Lake, MN in 2026?
Is Prior Lake, MN a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Prior Lake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Prior Lake?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Prior Lake?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $56,348 for massage therapistsin the Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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