Massage Therapist Salary in Waukesha, WI: $60,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Waukesha, WI earns a median $60,501/year (≈ $29.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Waukesha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,776 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists in Waukesha, Wisconsin, stands at $60,501, reflecting a slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $61,975. This salary spans a wide range from $35,091 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $93,776 at the 90th percentile, catering to various levels of experience and specialization. Employment settings in Waukesha vary significantly, with franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offering lower compensation compared to independent practices. Self-employed therapists, depending on their marketing skills and clientele, can see significantly higher earnings, effectively positioning Waukesha's massage therapy job market as diverse and competitive.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,091 | $16.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,818 | $21.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,501 | $29.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,441 | $37.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,776 | $45.08 |
Median Salary Position
2.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukesha
In Waukesha, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,685 (2026 est.). At $60,501, the local median is 2.38% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukesha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukesha Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Waukesha median: $60,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukesha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,226 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -2.38% less |
Massage Therapists in Waukesha, WI earn a median of $60,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.38% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $64,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukesha 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.
Waukesha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $60,501 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,776 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$41,802
2025 BLS Actual
$57,060
2026 Current Est.
$60,501
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,802 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,674 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,149 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukesha metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $41,802 (2019) to $57,060 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,149 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,347 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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) | $35,091 – $43,818 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,818 – $60,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,501 – $77,441 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,441 – $93,776 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Waukesha
Waukesha’s job market for massage therapists currently employs 14 professionals, indicative of a localized but steady demand. With a cost-of-living index at 93.4, the purchasing power in this region remains favorable for therapists, but careful financial management is essential to translate earnings into a comfortable lifestyle. Among the local employers, franchise chains generally provide consistent work hours but at a lower pay rate than specialty spas or collaborative practices in chiropractic or sports medicine. The disparity in massage therapist pay in Waukesha can also be attributed to factors like tip income, which can range from 15-25% of the session fee at spas, and the payment structures of self-employed therapists. To enhance their earning potential, practitioners should consider specializing in high-demand areas or developing a robust client base through effective self-promotion and marketing strategies.
More salary data for Waukesha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Waukesha, WI in 2026?
Is Waukesha, WI a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Waukesha?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Waukesha?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Waukesha?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $57,060 for massage therapistsin the Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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