Massage Therapist Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $58,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earns a median $58,893/year (≈ $28.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Wisconsin Rapids's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wisconsin Rapids, massage therapists can expect a median annual salary of $58,893 in 2026, which is approximately 4.97% below the national median of $61,975. With a salary range from $36,327 at the 10th percentile to $91,284 at the 90th percentile, the industry reflects diverse earnings potential based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, indicate that while opportunities exist, the overall compensation draws some scrutiny, particularly in comparison to national trends. This situation presents a unique opportunity for those seeking to enter or advance within this niche field in Wisconsin Rapids.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,327 | $17.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,597 | $20.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,893 | $28.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,383 | $36.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,284 | $43.89 |
Median Salary Position
4.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wisconsin Rapids
In Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,957 (2026 est.). At $58,893, the local median is 4.97% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wisconsin Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wisconsin Rapids Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Wisconsin Rapids median: $58,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wisconsin Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $64,224 | -8.30% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -4.97% less |
Massage Therapists in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $58,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $64,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wisconsin Rapids 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.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $58,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,055 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,691
2025 BLS Actual
$55,544
2026 Current Est.
$58,893
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,691 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,578 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,445 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin Rapids metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $40,691 (2019) to $55,544 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,445 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,754 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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) | $36,327 – $43,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,597 – $58,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,893 – $75,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,383 – $91,284 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Wisconsin Rapids
With only five massage therapists employed in the local market, competition remains relatively low, giving practitioners a chance to negotiate their pay. The cost of living index of 93.4 suggests that while overall expenses are lower than the national average, this should be factored into any salary expectations. The highest pay rates tend to be found within specialized practices such as chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, as well as high-end spas that attract clientele willing to compensate for premium services. In Wisconsin Rapids, income disparities often arise from employment structure: self-employed therapists can capitalize on direct-pay rates, possibly earning $80-$150 per session, whereas franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer lower but steadier income streams. For those in this profession, focusing on specialty training and developing a solid client base can significantly enhance take-home pay, especially in a market characterized by such a wide range of potential earnings.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, 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 $55,544 for massage therapistsin the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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