Personal Care & Fitness Kearney, NE Pop. 33,464

Massage Therapist Salary in Kearney, Nebraska

The median massage therapist salary in Kearney, NE is $42,880 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$42,880
vs State Avg
$-1,994
vs National
$-6,980
Cost of Living
86%

Massage Therapist Pay in Kearney: What to Expect (2026)

Kearney offers a median massage therapist salary of $42,880, which is $1,994 below the Nebraska state average of $44,874. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Kearney pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Kearney's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $42,880 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $49,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Kearney an attractive option for massage therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for massage therapists in Kearney spans from $24,080 at the 10th percentile to $75,680 at the 90th percentile — a $51,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,800, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $70,520. Kearney is a smaller market (pop. 33,464), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Massage Therapist Salary in Kearney by Experience

In Kearney, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $25,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $70,520 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,860
$-7,140 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$70,520
$-11,480 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Kearney, NE

Percentile Kearney
10th Percentile $24,080
25th Percentile $30,960
Median (50th) $42,880
75th Percentile $58,480
90th Percentile $75,680

Massage Therapist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$46,370
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$45,871
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$44,874
Pop. 291,082
Grand Island, NE
$41,882
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Kearney

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Kearney and the surrounding Nebraska 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 Kearney may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Kearney

Browse open massage therapist positions in Kearney, NE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Kearney

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Kearney, NE? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Kearney, Nebraska is $42,880 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $24,080 (10th percentile) to $75,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Kearney? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,880, a massage therapist in Kearney earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Kearney compare to the Nebraska state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Kearney's median massage therapist salary of $42,880 is 4.4% below the Nebraska state average of $44,874. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Kearney, NE? ▼
Kearney has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $42,880 in Kearney has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Kearney? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Kearney 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.