Massage Therapist Salary in La Crosse, WI: $64,731 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in La Crosse, WI earns a median $64,731/year (≈ $31.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $70,537 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, WI, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists in 2026 stands at $64,731, which is notably higher than the national median of $61,975. This figure reflects a solid earning potential in the market, where the salary range spans from $20,517 at the 10th percentile to $91,249 at the 90th percentile. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, these salary estimates indicate that tip income from spa positions can significantly enhance overall compensation, often adding 15-25% to a therapist's earnings. With the growth rate of massage therapy jobs projected at 6.03% annually, it suggests a strengthening demand for skilled professionals in La Crosse's massage therapy sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,517 | $9.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,167 | $17.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,731 | $31.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,249 | $43.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,249 | $43.88 |
Median Salary Position
4.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,732 (2026 est.). At $64,731, the local median is 4.45% above the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be above the median
How La Crosse Massage Therapist Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $64,731/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,218 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +4.45% more |
Massage Therapists in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $64,731 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.45% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $64,218.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $64,731 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,537 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,725
2025 BLS Actual
$61,050
2026 Current Est.
$64,731
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,725 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,997 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,078 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,731 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,635 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $44,725 (2019) to $61,050 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,635 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,910 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $20,517 – $36,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,167 – $64,731 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,731 – $91,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,249 – $91,249 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in La Crosse
The local job market currently employs about 50 massage therapists, providing a fairly stable environment for practitioners. Given that La Crosse’s cost of living index is 91.769—indicating a lower-than-average living expense—therapists may find their earning potential stretches further here than in higher-cost areas. Employment at franchise chains like Massage Envy may yield lower pay compared to self-employed practices, which often allow therapists to charge higher hourly rates, providing much greater earning potential. Factors like specialty practice, tip income, and the difference between franchise pay structures versus high-end spas create a significant spread between the lower and higher ends of the pay spectrum. For those seeking to maximize their massage therapist pay in La Crosse, focusing on building a loyal client base and exploring specialty services could prove advantageous in boosting overall income.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 $61,050 for massage therapistsin the La Crosse 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, 3-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