Personal Care & Fitness Aberdeen, SD Pop. 28,324

Massage Therapist Salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota

The median massage therapist salary in Aberdeen, SD is $41,882 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 4.5% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$41,882
vs State Avg
$-1,995
vs National
$-7,978
Cost of Living
84%

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

Aberdeen offers a median massage therapist salary of $41,882, which is $1,995 below the South Dakota state average of $43,877. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Aberdeen pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Aberdeen's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $41,882 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $49,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Aberdeen an attractive option for massage therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for massage therapists in Aberdeen spans from $23,520 at the 10th percentile to $73,920 at the 90th percentile — a $50,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,200, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $68,880. Aberdeen is a smaller market (pop. 28,324), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Massage Therapist Salary in Aberdeen by Experience

In Aberdeen, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $25,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $68,880 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,200
$-4,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$42,840
$-8,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$68,880
$-13,120 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Aberdeen, SD

Percentile Aberdeen
10th Percentile $23,520
25th Percentile $30,240
Median (50th) $41,882
75th Percentile $57,120
90th Percentile $73,920

Massage Therapist Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$45,871
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$44,874
Pop. 74,703
Brookings, SD
$42,880
Pop. 24,194
Mitchell, SD
$40,885
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Aberdeen

Education

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

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Aberdeen

Browse open massage therapist positions in Aberdeen, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Aberdeen

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Aberdeen, South Dakota is $41,882 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $23,520 (10th percentile) to $73,920 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Aberdeen? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,882, a massage therapist in Aberdeen earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Aberdeen compare to the South Dakota state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Aberdeen's median massage therapist salary of $41,882 is 4.5% below the South Dakota state average of $43,877. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Aberdeen, SD? ▼
Aberdeen has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $41,882 in Aberdeen has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Aberdeen? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Aberdeen 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.