Massage Therapist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Massage Therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $76,090 a year ($36.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,320 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 32% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $57,710. There are 0.37 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $66,670, close to the median.
Pay range for massage therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| 25th percentile | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| Median | $76,090 | $36.58 |
| 75th percentile | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,320 | $37.18 |
| Average (mean) | $66,670 | $32.05 |
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 | $6,340.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,170.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,926.54 |
| Weekly | $1,463.27 |
| Hourly | $36.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Massage Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Massage Therapist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,120 | $16.89 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 | $21.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Orderly | $37,090 | $17.83 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $76,090 a year, or $36.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $77,320 a year. The top 25% earn $76,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,920 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $50,480 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 150 massage therapists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.