Massage Therapist Salary in Chicago, IL
Massage Therapists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $61,200 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,470 take-home, or $4,039 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,164
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,794
- Medicare (1.45%)$887
- Illinois income tax$2,885
- Take-home pay$48,470
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,770 | $16.24 | $27,787 | $2,316 |
| 25th percentile | $47,020 | $22.61 | $37,778 | $3,148 |
| Median (50th) | $61,200 | $29.42 | $48,470 | $4,039 |
| 75th percentile | $77,550 | $37.28 | $59,692 | $4,974 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,000 | $39.90 | $63,257 | $5,271 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,200 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $48,470 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,788 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.4× the national concentration of massage therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for massage therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $59,010 | $49,595 | $48,108 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $61,200 | $48,470 | $46,788 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $50,600 | $40,702 | $36,159 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $48,370 | $41,045 | $35,956 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $43,530 | $35,860 | $31,576 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: massage therapists
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +15.3% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Chicago, IL?
The median massage therapist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $61,200 a year, or about $29.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,020 and $77,550.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $61,200 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $48,470 a year ($4,039 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,885 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,788 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median massage therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $72,230
- Dental Assistant — $48,950
- Medical Assistant — $47,270
- Phlebotomist — $47,190
- Nursing Assistant — $46,940
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,180