Personal Care & Fitness Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

Massage Therapist Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median massage therapist salary in Brookings, SD is $42,880 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 2.3% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$42,880
vs State Avg
$-997
vs National
$-6,980
Cost of Living
86%

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

Brookings offers a median massage therapist salary of $42,880, which is $997 below the South Dakota state average of $43,877. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings'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 Brookings an attractive option for massage therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for massage therapists in Brookings 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. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Massage Therapist Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, 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 Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
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 South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$45,871
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$44,874
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$41,882
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$40,885
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Brookings

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Brookings 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 Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Brookings

Browse open massage therapist positions in Brookings, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Brookings

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Brookings, South Dakota 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 Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,880, a massage therapist in Brookings earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Brookings's median massage therapist salary of $42,880 is 2.3% below the South Dakota state average of $43,877. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $42,880 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Brookings? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Brookings 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.