Massage Therapist salary in Arkansas
Massage Therapists in Arkansas earn a median of $39,990 a year ($19.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,530 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $58,450. Arkansas ranks 47th of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.33 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $44,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,180 | $11.63 |
| 25th percentile | $28,720 | $13.81 |
| Median | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| 75th percentile | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Average (mean) | $44,680 | $21.48 |
Half of massage therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,666.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,538.08 |
| Weekly | $769.04 |
| Hourly | $19.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Massage Therapist salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,320 | 160 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $43,030 | 210 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $41,920 | n/a |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,110 | 40 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $27,040 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for massage therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 |
| Washington | $87,360 |
| Oregon | $86,970 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,140 |
| Maine | $73,290 |
| Michigan | $70,960 |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| Dental Assistant | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Orderly | $31,540 | $15.16 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Arkansas?
The median salary for massage therapists in Arkansas is $39,990 a year, or $19.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of massage therapists in Arkansas earn at least $74,530 a year. The top 25% earn $49,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,180 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $28,720 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Arkansas?
About 430 massage therapists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.