Massage Therapist Salary in Onalaska, WI: $65,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Onalaska, WI earns a median $65,599/year (≈ $31.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $70,234 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a massage therapist in Onalaska, Wisconsin, is projected to be $65,599, which is approximately 5.85% above the national median of $61,975. The salary range for therapists in this area spans from $38,838 at the 10th percentile to $101,677 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reflecting the unique economic landscape of Onalaska. While many therapists may earn a stable income through employment at local spas or clinics, tipping practices, especially in the spa environment, can significantly augment earnings, making massage therapy a potentially lucrative career in this market.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,838 | $18.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,646 | $24.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,599 | $31.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,729 | $40.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,677 | $48.88 |
Median Salary Position
5.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,839 (2026 est.). At $65,599, the local median is 5.85% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $65,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,249 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +5.85% more |
Massage Therapists in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $65,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $64,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $65,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,234 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,324
2025 BLS Actual
$61,868
2026 Current Est.
$65,599
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,171 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,776 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,544 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,868 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $45,324 (2019) to $61,868 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,230 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $38,838 – $51,646 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,646 – $65,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,599 – $83,729 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,729 – $101,677 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Onalaska
Despite having only four active massage therapists in the Onalaska area, the job market appears stable, providing prospects for both employment and self-employment. The cost-of-living index in Onalaska is 93.4, meaning that living expenses are below the national average, thus potentially enhancing purchasing power for local therapists. Among the various employment options, spas generally offer lower pay compared to chiropractic clinics or self-employment, where therapists can command higher fees per session, especially when catering to specialized niches like sports or oncology. The variance in earnings often stems from factors such as tips, client base, and types of services offered. To optimize income, therapists should consider building a diverse clientele through self-marketing while possibly supplementing income through employment at spa facilities that provide consistent bookings.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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 $61,868 for massage therapistsin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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