Massage Therapist Salary in Wausau, WI: $62,453 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Wausau, WI earns a median $62,453/year (≈ $30.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $66,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wausau, WI, the potential for a lucrative massage therapist salary reaches a median of $62,453, which is slightly above the national figure of $61,975 for 2026. This attractive salary range spans from $36,223 at the entry-level (P10) to an impressive $96,802 at the high end (P90), indicating that skilled therapists can achieve significant earnings. These projections are informed by state-level data and adjustments for regional price parities, reflecting the local economic landscape. However, while self-employed massage therapists can directly earn higher per-session fees, they must contend with marketing, overhead costs, and the unpredictability of client bookings, which contrast against the steady income typically associated with franchise employment.
About the Wausau Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,223 | $17.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,951 | $23.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,453 | $30.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,939 | $38.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,802 | $46.54 |
Median Salary Position
0.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,579 (2026 est.). At $62,453, the local median is 0.77% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Wausau median: $62,453/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,252 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +0.77% more |
Massage Therapists in Wausau, WI earn a median of $62,453 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.77% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $64,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau 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.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $62,453 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,866 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,720
2025 BLS Actual
$58,901
2026 Current Est.
$62,453
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,957 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,773 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,901 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,453 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,219 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 34.7% from $43,720 (2019) to $58,901 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,499 (51.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $36,223 – $48,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,951 – $62,453 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,453 – $79,939 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,939 – $96,802 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Wausau
A closer look at the Wausau job market, with only eight massage therapists currently employed, reveals that the cost of living index at 93.4 indicates a below-average expense for residents. This can enhance the purchasing power of massage therapists when they retain a greater portion of their earnings. Among various employment settings, franchised chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone may provide steady bookings but generally offer lower pay, while self-employed practitioners can significantly increase their take-home pay, especially with additional earnings from tips and specialty services. The disparity in massage therapist pay in Wausau, WI, can be influenced by the type of clinic—whether it be a high-end spa or a chiropractic center—and the experience level of the therapist. To maximize compensation in this environment, therapists might consider building a loyal clientele through quality service and effective marketing strategies while tapping into niche markets like sports or prenatal massage, both of which can command higher rates.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $58,901 for massage therapistsin the Wausau 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 Wausau 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