Massage Therapist Salary in Bellevue, NE: $54,912 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Bellevue, NE earns a median $54,912/year (≈ $26.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Nebraska, aspiring massage therapists can expect a median annual salary of $54,912 in 2026, indicating competitive compensation within the region. The salary range for this profession spans from $31,854 at the 10th percentile to $85,113 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse earning potential. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for state-level variations and local cost of living factors. As Bellevue is home to a relatively small number of massage therapists, employed individuals may find themselves in a stagnant situation when looking for opportunities to boost their income.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,854 | $15.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,793 | $19.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,912 | $26.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,287 | $33.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,113 | $40.92 |
Median Salary Position
11.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, NE, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,259 (2026 est.). At $54,912, the local median is 11.4% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $54,912/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $56,727 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -11.40% less |
Massage Therapists in Bellevue, NE earn a median of $54,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $56,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $54,912 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,013 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,940
2025 BLS Actual
$51,789
2026 Current Est.
$54,912
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,649 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,564 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,178 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,007 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,757 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,789 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,912 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,223 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,940 (2019) to $51,789 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,223 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,283 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $31,854 – $40,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,793 – $54,912 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,912 – $70,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,287 – $85,113 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Bellevue
With just 15 massage therapists working in Bellevue, the local job market remains unique and competitive. While the cost of living index stands below the national average at 91.5, it enhances take-home pay for therapists who establish themselves effectively. Spas, specifically those of national franchises like Massage Envy, often pay less than independent solo practices, where self-employed therapists can significantly increase their earnings, sometimes reaching over $80 per session. The disparity in pay can also stem from factors such as tips, which range from 15-25% of the session fee in spas, or by specialization in high-demand areas like sports or prenatal massage. To maximize earnings in Bellevue, therapists should consider self-employment while strategically managing overhead costs and building a solid client base through effective marketing strategies.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Bellevue, NE in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Bellevue?
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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 $51,789 for massage therapistsin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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