Massage Therapist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $69,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $69,831/year (≈ $33.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $76,251 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.1% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Lincoln, Nebraska, can expect a median salary of $69,831, placing it 12.68% above the national median of $61,975. The full salary range for this profession in the city spans from $50,651 at the 10th percentile to as high as $99,021 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities within the local market. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicates a healthy demand for massage therapy services in the area. The job landscape consists of employed therapists working in franchises like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, alongside those who are self-employed or find positions in medical facilities, contributing to the salary variability driven by employment structure and client base.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,651 | $24.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,199 | $25.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,831 | $33.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,021 | $47.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,021 | $47.61 |
Median Salary Position
12.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,370 (2026 est.). At $69,831, the local median is 12.68% above the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $69,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $56,727 | +23.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +12.68% more |
Massage Therapists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $69,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.68% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 23.10% above the Nebraska state average of $56,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $69,831 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,251 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,249
2025 BLS Actual
$65,860
2026 Current Est.
$69,831
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,042 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $48,249 (2019) to $65,860 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,042 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,793 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $50,651 – $52,199 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,199 – $69,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,831 – $99,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,021 – $99,021 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Lincoln
The local job market currently employs approximately 40 massage therapists, suggesting a stable yet competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 91.581, therapists in Lincoln enjoy a relatively lower living expense, which enhances their take-home purchasing power. Among the local employers, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics often pay the most, while franchise chains typically offer lower rates compared to self-employed practitioners who might command higher fees due to their flexibility and specialty services. Consequently, the significant pay gap reflects not only the type of employment but also factors like tips from clients in spas and the premiums associated with specialties in sports or oncology massage. To maximize earnings in Lincoln, therapists should consider self-employment and specialization, while building a strong clientele through effective marketing and quality service.
More salary data for Lincoln, 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 $65,860 for massage therapistsin the Lincoln 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, 5-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