Massage Therapist Salary in Southaven, MS: $52,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Southaven, MS earns a median $52,247/year (≈ $25.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Southaven's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $60,965 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in Southaven, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $52,247 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national median salary of $61,975. The projected salary range for local therapists varies significantly, from $31,819 at the 10th percentile to as high as $80,984 at the 90th percentile. These figures come from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicating that local market dynamics play a crucial role in pay structures. While many therapists find traditional employment paths through spas or clinics, the potential for self-employment offers higher earnings with the trade-off of personal overhead and marketing responsibilities. This makes Southaven's massage therapy market uniquely shaped by the choices professionals make regarding their employment status.
About the Southaven Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,819 | $15.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,787 | $19.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,247 | $25.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,876 | $32.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,984 | $38.93 |
Median Salary Position
15.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Southaven
In Southaven, MS, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,165 (2026 est.). At $52,247, the local median is 15.7% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Southaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Southaven Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Southaven median: $52,247/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Southaven Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $53,097 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.70% less |
Massage Therapists in Southaven, MS earn a median of $52,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.70% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.60% below the Mississippi state average of $53,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Southaven 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.
Southaven, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,247 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,965 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% 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
$36,099
2025 BLS Actual
$49,276
2026 Current Est.
$52,247
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Southaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,099 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,774 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,547 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,629 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,349 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,398 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Southaven metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,099 (2019) to $49,276 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,398 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,299 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Southaven 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) | $31,819 – $39,787 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,787 – $52,247 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,247 – $66,876 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,876 – $80,984 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Southaven
With only 14 massage therapists employed in the area, Southaven's market is relatively small but steadily growing, as evidenced by an annual growth rate of 6.03%. The local cost-of-living index is at 85.7, which indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Employers who tend to offer higher pay include medical establishments such as chiropractic or physical therapy clinics, while franchise locations like Massage Envy typically provide lower wages. The vast pay range often stems from differences in working conditions—self-employed therapists can charge higher rates and supplement their income through tips, while those in franchises earn a steady income but at a lower pay-per-service rate. For maximizing earnings in Southaven, focusing on specialty services and building a loyal client base can position therapists favorably within the local landscape.
More salary data for Southaven, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Southaven, MS in 2026?
Is Southaven, MS a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Southaven?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Southaven?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Southaven?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $49,276 for massage therapistsin the Southaven 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 Southaven 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