Massage Therapist Salary in University City, MO: $54,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in University City, MO earns a median $54,744/year (≈ $26.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in University City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $61,098 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for massage therapists in University City, Missouri, is $54,744 in 2026. This figure reflects considerable variance, with salaries expected to range from $31,849 at the 10th percentile to $84,854 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, providing a helpful framework for understanding local compensation. In University City, therapists working for established franchises such as Massage Envy or Hand & Stone often earn less compared to self-employed practitioners, who may have greater earning potential but face higher operational costs. This pay gradient has implications for those considering their options in the area’s job market.
About the University City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,849 | $15.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,508 | $19.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,744 | $26.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,073 | $33.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,854 | $40.80 |
Median Salary Position
11.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University City
In University City, MO, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,005 (2026 est.). At $54,744, the local median is 11.67% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University City Massage Therapist Pay Compares
University City median: $54,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,522 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -11.67% less |
Massage Therapists in University City, MO earn a median of $54,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.67% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $55,522.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University City has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $54,744 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,098 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,824
2025 BLS Actual
$51,631
2026 Current Est.
$54,744
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,824 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,531 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,437 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,857 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,631 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,045 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University City metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,824 (2019) to $51,631 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,045 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,221 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University City 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) | $31,849 – $40,508 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,508 – $54,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,744 – $70,073 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,073 – $84,854 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in University City
In terms of employment dynamics, University City only has six massage therapists currently working in the area, which may present unique opportunities and challenges. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, the purchasing power for local therapists can be quite favorable compared to national averages. Among various employers, franchise chains tend to offer lower initial pay, while independent or self-employed therapists can command higher session fees, especially for specialized therapies. The disparity between low and high salaries can be significant, influenced by factors such as tips, expertise in niche services like oncology or sports massage, and the business model chosen. To maximize pay in this market, therapists should consider building a strong client base, focusing on specialty services, and exploring self-employment options, which could prove more lucrative than conventional employment routes in University City, MO.
More salary data for University City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in University City, MO in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in University City?
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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 $51,631 for massage therapistsin the University City 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 University City 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