Massage Therapist Salary in Madison, MS: $52,386 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Madison, MS earns a median $52,386/year (≈ $25.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Madison's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $61,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Madison, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $52,386, which falls significantly below the national median of $61,975. The salary range spans from $30,384 at the 10th percentile to $81,199 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, providing local estimates that account for regional price parity. In Madison, franchise establishments like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer lower pay compared to independent therapists, who often command higher rates due to direct client relationships and fewer overhead costs. The local job market includes just five employed massage therapists, indicating a competitive landscape where opportunities may hinge on specialization and service offerings.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,384 | $14.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,386 | $25.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,054 | $32.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,199 | $39.04 |
Median Salary Position
15.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, MS, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,815 (2026 est.). At $52,386, the local median is 15.47% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Madison median: $52,386/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $53,130 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.47% less |
Massage Therapists in Madison, MS earn a median of $52,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.47% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.40% below the Mississippi state average of $53,130.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,386 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,127 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,195
2025 BLS Actual
$49,407
2026 Current Est.
$52,386
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,871 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,652 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,753 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,407 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,386 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,195 (2019) to $49,407 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,350 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $30,384 – $40,820 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,820 – $52,386 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,386 – $67,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,054 – $81,199 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Madison
With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, Madison's massage therapists benefit from an overall favorable economic environment despite their lower salaries. The current rates present unique challenges and advantages for the small workforce. Franchise chains generally pay less but offer a steady clientele, while independent practitioners may significantly increase their earnings through gratuities and higher service fees. The gap between entry-level positions and top earners is influenced by factors such as service specialization—therapists skilled in oncology or sports massage can charge more. To maximize income, those in the Madison market should consider developing niche offerings, enhancing marketing strategies, and possibly exploring self-employment, where earnings can reach upwards of $150 per session under ideal conditions. The dynamics in Madison reflect both the local economy's strengths and the broader trends seen in the massage therapy field.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $49,407 for massage therapistsin the Madison 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 Madison 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