Massage Therapist Salary in Kearney, NE: $54,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Kearney, NE earns a median $54,608/year (≈ $26.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $59,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the anticipated median annual salary for massage therapists in Kearney, Nebraska, reaches $54,608, which falls below the national median of $61,975. The salary range spans from $33,975 at the lower end (P10) to $84,642 at the top (P90). These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the local economic context and regional adjustments, showing that while many therapists in Kearney can expect reasonable pay, those working independently or in specialized practices may earn significantly more compared to their counterparts in franchise settings like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone. This dynamic illustrates the varying degrees of financial opportunity available to licensed practitioners in the area.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,975 | $16.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,163 | $20.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,608 | $26.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,898 | $33.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,642 | $40.69 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,667 (2026 est.). At $54,608, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Kearney median: $54,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $56,706 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -11.89% less |
Massage Therapists in Kearney, NE earn a median of $54,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $56,706.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney 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.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $54,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,681 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,730
2025 BLS Actual
$51,502
2026 Current Est.
$54,608
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,334 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,933 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,735 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,532 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,730 (2019) to $51,502 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,170 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $33,975 – $42,163 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,163 – $54,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,608 – $69,898 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,898 – $84,642 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Kearney
The job market for massage therapists in Kearney is relatively modest, with just nine professionals currently employed in the field. Notably, the cost of living index sits at 91.5, which is advantageous for therapists, as it translates to a stronger purchasing power compared to many other regions. Spas typically offer the highest wages, especially if they are high-end establishments that tap into lucrative clientele, while franchise chains generally pay less due to their structured pay-per-service rates. Moreover, the wide discrepancy in salary can be attributed to several factors, including the income potential from tips, specialization in fields like oncology or sports massage, and the prevalence of employed versus self-employed models. To maximize earning potential, therapists should consider diversifying their skills and exploring self-employment, where they can better manage their rates and directly benefit from their branding efforts.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $51,502 for massage therapistsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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