Personal Care & Fitness Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Massage Therapist Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median massage therapist salary in Iowa City, IA is $47,367 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$47,367
vs State Avg
+$2,992
vs National
$-2,493
Cost of Living
95%

Massage Therapist Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median massage therapist salary of $47,367, which is $2,992 above the Iowa state average of $44,375. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for massage therapists in Iowa City spans from $26,600 at the 10th percentile to $83,600 at the 90th percentile — a $57,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,500, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,900. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Massage Therapist Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $28,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,500
$-1,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$48,450
$-2,550 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,900
$-4,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $26,600
25th Percentile $34,200
Median (50th) $47,367
75th Percentile $64,600
90th Percentile $83,600

Massage Therapist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$45,871
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$43,877
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$42,880
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$41,882
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Iowa City

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Iowa City and the surrounding Iowa area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Massage TechniquesAnatomyClient AssessmentCommunicationPhysical StaminaHygiene

Job Outlook

Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open massage therapist positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $47,367 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $26,600 (10th percentile) to $83,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $47,367, a massage therapist in Iowa City earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Iowa City's median massage therapist salary of $47,367 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $44,375. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $47,367 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Iowa City? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Iowa City require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Massage Techniques, Anatomy, Client Assessment, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.