Massage Therapist salary in Iowa
Massage Therapists in Iowa earn a median of $57,710 a year ($27.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,570 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $58,450. Iowa ranks 31st of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.35 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $62,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| Median | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| 75th percentile | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,570 | $44.02 |
| Average (mean) | $62,140 | $29.87 |
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 | $4,809.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,404.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,219.62 |
| Weekly | $1,109.81 |
| Hourly | $27.75 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $76,090 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,400 | 100 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,890 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,950 | 210 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,350 | 70 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,240 | $18.38 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,080 | $17.34 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for massage therapists in Iowa is $57,710 a year, or $27.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of massage therapists in Iowa earn at least $91,570 a year. The top 25% earn $76,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,560 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $47,040 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Iowa?
About 540 massage therapists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.