Massage Therapist Salary in St. Louis, MO: $62,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in St. Louis, MO earns a median $62,579/year (≈ $30.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in St. Louis's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $65,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projection for massage therapist salary in St. Louis stands at $62,579, slightly above the national median of $61,975, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The salary range reflects a diverse earning potential, with entry-level positions starting at around $46,314 and seasoned professionals earning as much as $102,117. In addition to base salaries, therapists working in spas can significantly amplify their income through tips, which often range from 15-25% of session fees. This dynamic contributes to a competitive job market in St. Louis, where the nature of the employer—be it a franchise chain, day spa, or self-employed practice—greatly influences total compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,314 | $22.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,579 | $30.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,385 | $39.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,117 | $49.09 |
Median Salary Position
0.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis
In St. Louis, MO, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,803 (2026 est.). At $62,579, the local median is 0.97% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Louis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Louis Massage Therapist Pay Compares
St. Louis median: $62,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,527 | +12.70% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +0.97% more |
Massage Therapists in St. Louis, MO earn a median of $62,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.97% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 12.70% above the Missouri state average of $55,527.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis has a cost of living 4.91% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Louis, MO has a cost-of-living index of 95.088 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $62,579 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,812 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% 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
$35,350
2025 BLS Actual
$59,020
2026 Current Est.
$62,579
2019–2027 Growth
+87.7%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,352 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 67.0% from $35,350 (2019) to $59,020 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,352 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,002 (87.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis 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) | $46,314 – $50,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,640 – $62,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,579 – $82,385 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,385 – $102,117 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in St. Louis
With approximately 1,010 massage therapists employed in St. Louis, the local job market reveals a steady demand for skilled practitioners. The cost of living in St. Louis, with a CoL index of 95.088, indicates a relatively affordable environment for professionals in this field, enhancing their take-home purchasing power. Employers such as high-end spas, chiropractic clinics, and specialized sports medicine practices tend to offer the most competitive pay. The stark compensation differences can be attributed to several factors, including the benefits of self-employment over traditional employment with franchises, which often fall on the lower end of the pay spectrum. Therapists specializing in high-demand areas, such as oncology or sports massage, can also command a premium. For those looking to maximize their pay in this market, focusing on building a self-employed practice, networking for referrals, and enhancing skills through continuing education from recognized organizations like the ABMP and AMTA can prove advantageous.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in St. Louis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in St. Louis?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in St. Louis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $59,020 for massage therapistsin the St. Louis 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, 7-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