Massage Therapist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $85,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Des Moines, WA earns a median $85,994/year (≈ $41.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $80,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for massage therapists in Des Moines, Washington is $85,994, significantly surpassing the national average of $61,975 by 38.76%. Additionally, local estimates indicate a salary range from $50,472 at the lower end (P10) to $133,290 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost considerations, reflecting the potential for self-employed practitioners to earn considerably more, particularly when they manage their overhead and marketing effectively. The local massage therapy market appears competitive, suggesting that those who can build a loyal clientele and leverage cash-pay services may find lucrative opportunities in Des Moines.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,472 | $24.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,159 | $30.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,994 | $41.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,072 | $52.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,290 | $64.08 |
Median Salary Position
38.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,818 (2026 est.). At $85,994, the local median is 38.76% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $85,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $86,774 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +38.76% more |
Massage Therapists in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $85,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.76% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $86,774.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,994 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,069 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,415
2025 BLS Actual
$81,103
2026 Current Est.
$85,994
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,525 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,091 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,184 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,746 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,101 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,103 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,179 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $59,415 (2019) to $81,103 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,764 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $50,472 – $64,159 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,159 – $85,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,994 – $110,072 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,072 – $133,290 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Des Moines
In terms of the local job market, Des Moines has only seven employed massage therapists, which indicates a niche but potentially thriving environment for self-employment. The cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, affecting take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, franchise operations like Massage Envy and Elements typically offer lower pay rates, whereas sports medicine clinics and high-end spas may offer better compensation options. The income disparities are often driven by various factors, including the self-employed versus employed structure, client tipping habits, and specialization premium in areas such as oncology or sports massage. To maximize pay in Des Moines, aspiring therapists should focus on building their personal brand, developing specialized skills, and potentially finding a balance between self-employment and contract work to benefit from both steady bookings and high cash-pay rates.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
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 $81,103 for massage therapistsin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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