How much does a massage therapist make in Des Moines?
$76,090a year
Median yearly pay for massage therapists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $36.58 an hour or $6,341 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.58
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among cities
- 28 of 238
- Jobs in the area
- 150
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,920Median: $76,090Highest 10%: $77,320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,920 | $22.08 | |
| 25th | $50,480 | $24.27 | |
| Median | $76,090 | $36.58 | |
| 75th | $76,100 | $36.59 | |
| 90th | $77,320 | $37.17 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for massage therapists.
| Davenport, IA | $62,400 |
| Omaha, NE | $51,950 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,350 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,250 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,360 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,020 |
| Medical Assistant | $46,920 |
| Healthcare Support Worker | $46,310 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,020 |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,940 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,490 |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $37,560 |
| Orderly | $37,090 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $36.58 ($76,090 a year).
Do massage therapists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $76,090 against $58,450 nationally, 30% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $57,710, so Des Moines pays 32% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for massage therapist pay?
28 of 238 metro areas with data.
How much does a massage therapist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,920 or less a year; the top 10% make $77,320 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.