Massage Therapist Salary in Pearl, MS: $52,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Pearl, MS earns a median $52,609/year (≈ $25.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Pearl's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $61,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pearl, Mississippi, the projected median salary for massage therapists in 2026 reaches $52,609, placing local earners significantly below the national median of $61,975, which is a decrease of 15.11%. The salary range spans from $30,857 at the lower end to $81,543 for those at the upper echelons of pay. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate this financial framework accounts for local cost adjustments, reflecting the realities of operating within a market where self-employment tendencies can lead to higher earnings but come with the trade-offs of overhead costs and the challenges of marketing a private practice. In this dynamic, therapists in Pearl can benefit from the flexibility of cash-pay sessions while navigating the saturation of the local job market, where only six massage therapists currently practice.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,857 | $14.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,235 | $18.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,609 | $25.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,340 | $32.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,543 | $39.20 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl
In Pearl, MS, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,686 (2026 est.). At $52,609, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearl: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pearl Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Pearl median: $52,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearl Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $53,087 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.11% less |
Massage Therapists in Pearl, MS earn a median of $52,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% below the Mississippi state average of $53,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearl 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.
Pearl, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,387 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,349
2025 BLS Actual
$49,617
2026 Current Est.
$52,609
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Pearl (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,349 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,821 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,325 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,952 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,617 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,781 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearl metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,349 (2019) to $49,617 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,781 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,432 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl 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) | $30,857 – $39,235 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,235 – $52,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,609 – $67,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,340 – $81,543 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Pearl
The local market provides a modest landscape for massage therapist pay in Pearl, MS, largely influenced by the cost of living index of 85.7, which suggests a lower purchasing power compared to national standards. This reality invites consideration for massage therapists looking to maximize their earnings potential. Spas, especially franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, tend to offer less competitive pay compared to chiropractic clinics or high-end spas, where specialized services can command higher rates. With much of the salary variation being driven by income structure—ranging from self-employed earnings often generating $80–$150 per hourly session to tips that can add 15-25% on top of base pay—therapists can optimize their compensation through targeted service offerings, developing a strong client base, and potentially venturing into niche areas like sports or oncology massage. Understanding these market dynamics in Pearl is essential for those asking how much do massage therapists make in Pearl.
More salary data for Pearl, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Pearl, MS in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Pearl?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Pearl?
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Related Pages
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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 $49,617 for massage therapistsin the Pearl 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 Pearl 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