Massage Therapist Salary in North Platte, NE: $52,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in North Platte, NE earns a median $52,731/year (≈ $25.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in North Platte's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $57,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in North Platte, Nebraska, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $52,731 in 2026, which reflects the local economic conditions and salary ranges. With a pay scale that ranges from $33,538 at the 10th percentile to $81,733 at the 90th percentile, there is considerable variance in earnings based on experience, clientele, and work environment. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that massage therapists in North Platte earn approximately 14.92% less than the national median salary for this profession, which stands at $61,975. While this may seem lower than the national average, tip income from clients at spas can significantly boost overall compensation, creating a unique earning potential in the local market.
About the North Platte Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,538 | $16.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,129 | $19.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,731 | $25.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,496 | $32.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,733 | $39.29 |
Median Salary Position
14.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Platte
In North Platte, NE, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,195 (2026 est.). At $52,731, the local median is 14.92% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Platte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Platte Massage Therapist Pay Compares
North Platte median: $52,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Platte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $56,700 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -14.92% less |
Massage Therapists in North Platte, NE earn a median of $52,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $56,700.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Platte 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.
North Platte, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $52,731 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,630 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,433
2025 BLS Actual
$49,732
2026 Current Est.
$52,731
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in North Platte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,114 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,913 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,139 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,732 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,911 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Platte metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,433 (2019) to $49,732 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,911 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,478 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Platte 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) | $33,538 – $41,129 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,129 – $52,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,731 – $67,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,496 – $81,733 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in North Platte
The local job market for massage therapists in North Platte is relatively limited, with only four professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, rated at 91.5, suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power in North Platte can still be favorable. Among the types of employers, spas, particularly franchise names like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, generally pay less than self-employed massage therapists who can benefit from higher session rates. The disparity between incomes can also be influenced by factors like specialty practices, including sports or oncology massage, as well as the reliance on client gratuities, which can range from 15-25% of the session fee. For those wanting to maximize their massage therapist pay in North Platte, focusing on building a self-employed practice or seeking specialty certifications can provide a competitive edge in terms of both income and job satisfaction.
More salary data for North Platte, 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 $49,732 for massage therapistsin the North Platte 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 North Platte 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