Massage Therapist Salary in River Falls, WI: $60,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in River Falls, WI earns a median $60,526/year (≈ $29.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,803 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a massage therapist in River Falls, Wisconsin, can expect to earn a median salary of $60,526. This figure is slightly below the national median of $61,975, reflecting the unique economic landscape of the area. Salaries for the occupation range significantly, from $35,105 for the lowest earners (P10) to $93,815 for the top earners (P90). These local estimates consider regional price adjustments and economic factors specific to Wisconsin. For massage therapists in River Falls, the balance between being self-employed and working for established clinics or spas is crucial, as it often dictates earnings potential and lifestyle.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,105 | $16.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,831 | $22.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,526 | $29.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,474 | $37.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,815 | $45.11 |
Median Salary Position
2.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,710 (2026 est.). At $60,526, the local median is 2.34% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls Massage Therapist Pay Compares
River Falls median: $60,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,253 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -2.34% less |
Massage Therapists in River Falls, WI earn a median of $60,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $64,253.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls 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.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $60,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,803 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,819
2025 BLS Actual
$57,084
2026 Current Est.
$60,526
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,819 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,814 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,695 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,176 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $41,819 (2019) to $57,084 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,176 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,357 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $35,105 – $46,831 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,831 – $60,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,526 – $77,474 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,474 – $93,815 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in River Falls
The job market for massage therapists in River Falls currently employs five professionals, creating an intimate yet competitive environment for new graduates or those seeking to advance their careers. With a cost of living index of 93.4, residents generally enjoy a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which can affect overall take-home pay and purchasing power. Those working in franchise chains like Massage Envy may earn less than their self-employed counterparts, who can charge $80 to $150 per session, albeit at the cost of handling their own overhead. Those looking to maximize their income should focus on building a strong client base in the cash-pay sector and consider specializing in high-demand areas like sports or oncology massage. By utilizing effective marketing strategies and networking within the community, therapists can position themselves favorably within the massage therapist pay spectrum in River Falls, WI.
More salary data for River Falls, 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 $57,084 for massage therapistsin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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