Massage Therapist Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Massage Therapists in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$39,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-32% vs US median
US median $58,450
State Rank
#47 of 50
430 employed here

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Arkansas?

Massage Therapists in Arkansas take home a median of $39,990 annually — roughly $19.23 an hour — which runs 32% below the national median of $58,450.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $24,180 while the top 10% make $74,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,720 and $49,620 a year.

Massage Therapist salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$24,180$11.63
25th percentile (early career)$28,720$13.81
50th percentile (median)$39,990$19.23
75th percentile (experienced)$49,620$23.86
90th percentile (top earners)$74,530$35.83

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories for Massage Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$134,930
2Washington$87,360
3Oregon$86,970
4Hawaii$81,280
5New Hampshire$80,360

Working as a Massage Therapist in Arkansas

Nationally, about 99,000 people work as Massage Therapists in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($39,990) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Arkansas?
The median Massage Therapist salary in Arkansas is $39,990 per year, or about $19.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,180 at the entry level to $74,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Massage Therapists about 32% less than the national median of $58,450. Arkansas ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Massage Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,990 a year. About 430 Massage Therapists are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Massage Therapist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.