Massage Therapist Salary in Racine, WI: $68,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Racine, WI earns a median $68,644/year (≈ $33.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $71,533 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average massage therapist salary in Racine, Wisconsin is projected to be $68,644, which surpasses the national median of $61,975 by 10.76%. Salaries range from $34,852 at the lower end (P10) to $126,133 at the high end (P90), reflecting a significant spread in compensation based on factors such as employment type. Massage therapists working within well-known franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically earn less than their self-employed counterparts, who leverage direct client relationships to potentially achieve higher hourly rates. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing valuable insights for those considering a career in this rewarding field in Racine.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,852 | $16.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,099 | $24.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,644 | $33.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,006 | $43.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,133 | $60.64 |
Median Salary Position
10.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,281 (2026 est.). At $68,644, the local median is 10.76% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Racine median: $68,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,213 | +6.90% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +10.76% more |
Massage Therapists in Racine, WI earn a median of $68,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.76% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 6.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $64,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $68,644 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,533 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,260
2025 BLS Actual
$64,740
2026 Current Est.
$68,644
2019–2027 Growth
+54.0%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,226 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,262 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,783 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 37.0% from $47,260 (2019) to $64,740 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,783 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,523 (54.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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) | $34,852 – $50,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,099 – $68,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,644 – $91,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,006 – $126,133 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Racine
The local job market has approximately 40 employed massage therapists, suggesting a supportive environment for potential growth as the industry anticipates a 6.03% annual growth rate. With a cost of living index at 95.961, therapists may find their effective purchasing power is relatively favorable, allowing for comfortable earnings in Racine. Among local employers, specialty clinics such as chiropractic or physical therapy practices often offer higher salaries compared to spas and franchise locations. The pay gap is influenced by factors like client tips, which can range from 15% to 25% of service fees, and the unique skills provided by therapists in niche markets such as oncology or sports massage. For optimal earnings, building a loyal clientele as a self-employed therapist and mastering specialized techniques can prove beneficial in maximizing pay within this competitive market.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Racine?
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Related Pages
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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 $64,740 for massage therapistsin the Racine 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, 5-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