Massage Therapist Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $46,102 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $46,102/year (≈ $22.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $49,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Massage therapists in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $46,102 in 2026, representing a considerable divide between different employment types. The salary range is quite broad, from $20,315 at the lower end to $106,348 at the high end, which highlights the disparity primarily seen between employees at franchise establishments like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone versus self-employed practitioners. The data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, sheds light on the local market dynamics, with compensation significantly lower than the national median of $61,975. While franchises provide stable bookings, they offer lower pay, which can be countered by self-employed therapists who benefit from flexible pricing strategies and premium service offerings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,315 | $9.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,100 | $17.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,102 | $22.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,318 | $32.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,348 | $51.13 |
Median Salary Position
25.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,033 (2026 est.). At $46,102, the local median is 25.61% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $46,102/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,209 | -28.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -25.61% less |
Massage Therapists in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $46,102 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.61% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 28.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $64,209.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $46,102 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,681 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,853
2025 BLS Actual
$43,480
2026 Current Est.
$46,102
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,853 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,896 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,102 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,882 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $31,853 (2019) to $43,480 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,882 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,029 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $20,315 – $37,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,100 – $46,102 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,102 – $67,318 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,318 – $106,348 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, there are approximately 40 massage therapists working in a community with a cost-of-living index of 92.796, suggesting that expenses are below the national average, which may help improve overall take-home pay. The highest paying opportunities are often found within chiropractic clinics and high-end spa resorts. Factors influencing the salary spread include the potential for tips—typically an additional 15-25% of session fees at spas—and the specific niche of the therapist, whether they specialize in fields like sports or oncology. To maximize earnings, aspiring therapists should consider building a loyal clientele through exceptional service, investing in marketing as a self-employed individual, or acquiring advanced certifications that can command higher rates.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 $43,480 for massage therapistsin the Eau Claire 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, 4-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