Massage Therapist Salary in Jackson, MS: $47,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Jackson, MS earns a median $47,809/year (≈ $22.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $53,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Mississippi, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists is $47,809 in 2026, positioned significantly below the national average of $61,975. The salary range extends from $41,786 at the 10th percentile to a remarkable $114,046 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a wide variation in earning potential that can stem from different employment settings and practices. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. For therapists considering their options in Jackson, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of self-employment against the overhead costs and marketing efforts. While self-employed massage therapists have the potential for higher earnings, they must also navigate the challenges of establishing a steady flow of clients compared to more stable franchise opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,786 | $20.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,826 | $20.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,809 | $22.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,969 | $25.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,046 | $54.83 |
Median Salary Position
22.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MS, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,260 (2026 est.). At $47,809, the local median is 22.86% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Jackson Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Jackson median: $47,809/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $53,121 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -22.86% less |
Massage Therapists in Jackson, MS earn a median of $47,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.86% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 10.00% below the Mississippi state average of $53,121.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 10.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MS has a cost-of-living index of 89.048 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $47,809 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,033
2025 BLS Actual
$45,090
2026 Current Est.
$47,809
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,033 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $33,033 (2019) to $45,090 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,659 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $41,786 – $42,826 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,826 – $47,809 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,809 – $53,969 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,969 – $114,046 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Jackson
With 90 massage therapists currently employed in Jackson, the local job market shows promise for those entering the field. The cost of living in the area, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 89.048, means that take-home pay can stretch further than in many other regions, enhancing overall purchasing power. Among various employers, local day spas, chiropractic clinics, and self-employed practices tend to offer the most competitive pay. The gap in salaries can be attributed to factors such as tips, which may contribute 15-25% of service fees in spas, as well as the specialty certifications therapists may possess. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Jackson, building a loyal client base through self-marketing, pursuing niche specializations, and exploring mobile or in-home services may be effective strategies to elevate overall compensation.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
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 $45,090 for massage therapistsin the Jackson 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, 5-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