Massage therapist salary
BLS occupation: Massage Therapists · Healthcare support · data for May 2025
Median salary $58,450 a year, US
Median hourly pay $28.10 an hour
Middle half earn $43,480–$78,320 25th to 75th percentile
Massage therapists employed 98,790 +15.3% projected by 2035
How much does a massage therapist make?
- The median massage therapist salary in the US is $58,450 a year ($28.10 an hour): half of the 98,790 massage therapists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $63,830.
- The middle half earn between $43,480 and $78,320. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $33,640 and the top 10% more than $100,200.
- That is 15% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Alaska pays massage therapists the most (median $134,930), followed by Washington ($87,360) and Oregon ($86,970). Louisiana pays the least ($36,480).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Alaska, where the median is worth $131,820 in typical US prices, then Oregon and North Dakota.
- In 86 of the 236 metro areas with data, the median massage therapist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of massage therapists to grow 15.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 20,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award).
official From BLS's survey of employers: what massage therapists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Massage therapist salary range
Half of massage therapists earn between $43,480 and $78,320 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $33,640
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $43,480
Median Yearly pay: $58,450
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $78,320
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $100,200
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $33,640 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $43,480 |
| Median | $58,450 |
| Top 25% earn over | $78,320 |
| Top 10% earn over | $100,200 |
Massage therapist salary by state
Alaska pays massage therapists the most; Louisiana the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($58,450), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 median |
| Washington | $87,360 median |
| Oregon | $86,970 median |
| Hawaii | $81,280 median |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 median |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 median |
| North Dakota | $74,140 median |
| Maine | $73,290 median |
| Michigan | $70,960 median |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 median |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 median |
| Minnesota | $63,070 median |
| New York | $62,630 median |
| Arizona | $62,400 median |
| Maryland | $62,270 median |
| Connecticut | $62,260 median |
| Virginia | $62,220 median |
| Utah | $62,130 median |
| Missouri | $62,050 median |
| Wyoming | $61,980 median |
| Colorado | $61,060 median |
| North Carolina | $60,650 median |
| Illinois | $60,490 median |
| Idaho | $60,420 median |
| Kentucky | $59,790 median |
| Texas | $59,370 median |
| Delaware | $58,870 median |
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 median |
| Wisconsin | $58,070 median |
| South Carolina | $58,000 median |
| Iowa | $57,710 median |
| Ohio | $55,990 median |
| Indiana | $55,590 median |
| Nebraska | $53,950 median |
| Montana | $53,540 median |
| Nevada | $53,540 median |
| South Dakota | $52,000 median |
| Georgia | $50,820 median |
| New Jersey | $50,150 median |
| Tennessee | $50,070 median |
| Kansas | $49,990 median |
| Florida | $49,680 median |
| Alabama | $48,930 median |
| West Virginia | $46,600 median |
| California | $45,970 median |
| Mississippi | $40,490 median |
| Arkansas | $39,990 median |
| New Mexico | $37,840 median |
| Oklahoma | $36,630 median |
| Louisiana | $36,480 median |
Where massage therapist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Massage therapists' pay goes furthest in Alaska once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $131,820 |
| Oregon | $84,142 |
| North Dakota | $83,342 |
| Washington | $81,635 |
| New Hampshire | $77,147 |
| Maine | $75,518 |
| Hawaii | $73,924 |
| Michigan | $73,750 |
| Rhode Island | $73,289 |
| Missouri | $68,324 |
Massage therapist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 | $64.87 | $34,140 | $161,400 | 570 | $131,820 |
| Washington | $87,360 | $42.00 | $61,850 | $115,800 | 3,740 | $81,635 |
| Oregon | $86,970 | $41.81 | $47,270 | $103,630 | 2,250 | $84,142 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $39.08 | $36,660 | $166,730 | 1,330 | $73,924 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 | $38.63 | $36,500 | $114,400 | 270 | $77,147 |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 | $36.04 | $43,480 | $126,150 | 290 | $73,289 |
| North Dakota | $74,140 | $35.64 | $34,120 | $110,870 | 100 | $83,342 |
| Maine | $73,290 | $35.24 | $32,450 | $119,580 | 370 | $75,518 |
| Michigan | $70,960 | $34.12 | $32,610 | $89,950 | 2,410 | $73,750 |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 | $30.82 | $44,130 | $134,110 | 120 | $58,334 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | $30.48 | $40,420 | $104,510 | 2,830 | $59,939 |
| Minnesota | $63,070 | $30.32 | $28,320 | $97,870 | 1,690 | $63,952 |
| New York | $62,630 | $30.11 | $33,280 | $110,210 | 4,500 | $58,033 |
| Arizona | $62,400 | $30.00 | $37,800 | $90,780 | 2,530 | $61,980 |
| Maryland | $62,270 | $29.94 | $35,360 | $96,440 | 1,350 | $59,328 |
| Connecticut | $62,260 | $29.93 | $34,010 | $97,870 | 700 | $60,091 |
| Virginia | $62,220 | $29.91 | $38,070 | $119,570 | 2,730 | $61,541 |
| Utah | $62,130 | $29.87 | $23,160 | $97,970 | 1,840 | $62,844 |
| Missouri | $62,050 | $29.83 | $43,680 | $101,900 | 1,500 | $68,324 |
| Wyoming | $61,980 | $29.80 | $18,570 | $98,090 | 150 | $66,867 |
| Colorado | $61,060 | $29.36 | $35,990 | $101,710 | 3,950 | $59,252 |
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $29.16 | $31,050 | $96,510 | 2,460 | $64,298 |
| Illinois | $60,490 | $29.08 | $33,770 | $82,910 | 4,950 | $60,515 |
| Idaho | $60,420 | $29.05 | $35,360 | $94,610 | 170 | $63,271 |
| Kentucky | $59,790 | $28.75 | $30,210 | $95,290 | 780 | $66,316 |
| Texas | $59,370 | $28.54 | $34,870 | $109,970 | 8,630 | $61,170 |
| Delaware | $58,870 | $28.30 | $46,250 | $98,220 | 230 | $58,983 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | $28.03 | $31,000 | $110,770 | 2,990 | $59,751 |
| Wisconsin | $58,070 | $27.92 | $20,280 | $105,360 | 1,520 | $61,714 |
| South Carolina | $58,000 | $27.88 | $17,340 | $95,540 | 1,840 | $61,867 |
| Iowa | $57,710 | $27.75 | $37,560 | $91,570 | 540 | $65,757 |
| Ohio | $55,990 | $26.92 | $40,340 | $78,520 | 1,760 | $60,351 |
| Indiana | $55,590 | $26.73 | $38,140 | $83,140 | 1,480 | $59,563 |
| Nebraska | $53,950 | $25.94 | $47,360 | $93,390 | 270 | $59,876 |
| Montana | $53,540 | $25.74 | $25,020 | $96,740 | 200 | $56,569 |
| Nevada | $53,540 | $25.74 | $25,230 | $121,980 | 1,620 | $53,551 |
| South Dakota | $52,000 | $25.00 | $35,720 | $56,310 | 180 | $58,700 |
| Georgia | $50,820 | $24.43 | $19,010 | $83,130 | 1,700 | $52,776 |
| New Jersey | $50,150 | $24.11 | $33,280 | $81,930 | 2,890 | $46,092 |
| Tennessee | $50,070 | $24.07 | $36,960 | $95,260 | 1,230 | $54,501 |
| Kansas | $49,990 | $24.03 | $31,490 | $81,760 | 780 | $55,503 |
| Florida | $49,680 | $23.88 | $30,310 | $79,220 | 9,280 | $48,040 |
| Alabama | $48,930 | $23.52 | $22,250 | $91,260 | 600 | $55,087 |
| West Virginia | $46,600 | $22.40 | $22,450 | $82,950 | 250 | $52,069 |
| California | $45,970 | $22.10 | $34,320 | $89,880 | 14,600 | $41,519 |
| Mississippi | $40,490 | $19.47 | $28,820 | $103,020 | 230 | $46,565 |
| Arkansas | $39,990 | $19.23 | $24,180 | $74,530 | 430 | $45,999 |
| New Mexico | $37,840 | $18.19 | $29,430 | $91,730 | 360 | $41,036 |
| Oklahoma | $36,630 | $17.61 | $24,790 | $101,100 | 520 | $41,699 |
| Louisiana | $36,480 | $17.54 | $18,080 | $59,680 | 890 | $41,357 |
BLS does not publish pay for massage therapists in 1 state (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Massage therapist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes massage therapist pay: 237 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Fairbanks, AK $130,590
- Pittsfield, MA $102,120
- Kahului, HI $96,820
- Salem, OR $96,080
- Grants Pass, OR $94,610
- Bend, OR $94,580
- Seattle, WA $94,220
- Bozeman, MT $85,670
- Portland, OR $84,730
- Yakima, WA $84,100
Where the pay goes furthest
- Fairbanks, AK $126,531
- Pittsfield, MA $107,375
- Grants Pass, OR $96,778
- Salem, OR $92,697
- Bend, OR $91,287
- Kahului, HI $88,507
- Sheboygan, WI $88,497
- Yakima, WA $88,021
- State College, PA $85,250
- Seattle, WA $84,781
All 237 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks, AK | $130,590 | 50 | $126,531 | 17% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $102,120 | 50 | $107,375 | 21% |
| Kahului, HI | $96,820 | 330 | $88,507 | 40% |
| Salem, OR | $96,080 | 160 | $92,697 | 21% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $94,610 | 40 | $96,778 | 20% |
| Bend, OR | $94,580 | 210 | $91,287 | 28% |
| Seattle, WA | $94,220 | 2,230 | $84,781 | 29% |
| Bozeman, MT | $85,670 | 40 | $83,572 | 31% |
| Portland, OR | $84,730 | 1,580 | $80,373 | 26% |
| Yakima, WA | $84,100 | 60 | $88,021 | 19% |
| Eugene, OR | $83,880 | 180 | $82,585 | 25% |
| Bellingham, WA | $83,790 | 140 | $81,087 | 28% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $83,200 | 40 | $88,497 | 19% |
| Bremerton, WA | $82,690 | 60 | $78,300 | 30% |
| State College, PA | $82,490 | 40 | $85,250 | 28% |
| Medford, OR | $82,370 | 150 | $81,206 | 27% |
| Wilmington, NC | $81,390 | 120 | $84,410 | 26% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $81,030 | 70 | $78,022 | 26% |
| Manchester, NH | $80,360 | 110 | $76,057 | 32% |
| Ithaca, NY | $80,340 | 40 | $77,761 | 30% |
| Kennewick, WA | $79,950 | 80 | $79,887 | 25% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $79,600 | 110 | $81,014 | 28% |
| Olympia, WA | $78,320 | 200 | $75,547 | 31% |
| Portland, ME | $78,090 | 230 | $76,666 | 35% |
| Kingston, NY | $77,150 | 60 | $76,607 | 31% |
| Spokane, WA | $77,150 | 370 | $76,884 | 24% |
| Lexington, KY | $76,250 | 170 | $82,087 | 25% |
| Des Moines, IA | $76,090 | 150 | $82,976 | 20% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $75,340 | 1,290 | $71,874 | 28% |
| Boston, MA | $75,160 | 2,180 | $69,422 | 48% |
| Lansing, MI | $74,880 | 130 | $78,829 | 21% |
| Fargo, ND | $74,140 | 60 | $81,588 | 18% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $73,540 | 190 | $68,816 | 47% |
| Athens, GA | $73,330 | 60 | $78,560 | 29% |
| Elkhart, IN | $73,260 | 30 | $81,107 | 19% |
| St. George, UT | $72,780 | 160 | $74,783 | 30% |
| Waco, TX | $72,560 | 60 | $78,401 | 23% |
| Flint, MI | $72,100 | 30 | $77,499 | 17% |
| Boulder, CO | $71,870 | 420 | $68,316 | 37% |
| Raleigh, NC | $71,480 | 650 | $72,822 | 28% |
| Detroit, MI | $70,960 | 1,310 | $70,749 | 26% |
| Ogden, UT | $70,430 | 340 | $70,185 | 28% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $70,120 | 70 | $76,182 | 26% |
| Niles, MI | $69,580 | 40 | $75,327 | 24% |
| Abilene, TX | $68,730 | 60 | $76,059 | 35% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $68,640 | 120 | $62,730 | 39% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $68,470 | 350 | $71,662 | 28% |
| Louisville, KY | $68,230 | 380 | $73,307 | 24% |
| Savannah, GA | $67,470 | 50 | $70,867 | 31% |
| Springfield, MO | $66,150 | 120 | $74,674 | 23% |
| Rochester, NY | $66,110 | 200 | $68,130 | 28% |
| Saginaw, MI | $66,090 | 50 | $72,713 | 19% |
| Lincoln, NE | $65,860 | 40 | $71,914 | 23% |
| Washington, DC | $65,220 | 1,540 | $59,899 | 44% |
| Racine, WI | $64,740 | 40 | $67,465 | 27% |
| Appleton, WI | $64,360 | 60 | $69,639 | 22% |
| Greeley, CO | $64,020 | 120 | $63,908 | 32% |
| Baltimore, MD | $63,820 | 840 | $61,079 | 36% |
| Chico, CA | $63,290 | 40 | $62,541 | 29% |
| Greensboro, NC | $63,250 | 130 | $68,110 | 27% |
| New Haven, CT | $63,160 | 100 | $60,406 | 39% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $63,080 | 1,890 | $61,055 | 33% |
| Roanoke, VA | $63,070 | 60 | $67,370 | 27% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $62,550 | 90 | $65,514 | 33% |
| Davenport, IA | $62,400 | 100 | $70,050 | 19% |
| Albany, NY | $62,310 | 190 | $62,582 | 33% |
| Charleston, SC | $62,140 | 400 | $61,548 | 39% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $62,120 | 140 | $63,377 | 38% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $61,980 | 610 | $61,447 | 32% |
| Sioux City, IA | $61,890 | 30 | $71,587 | 25% |
| Norwich, CT | $61,870 | 70 | $61,596 | 41% |
| Buffalo, NY | $61,830 | 210 | $64,511 | 28% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $61,770 | 390 | $61,081 | 38% |
| Salinas, CA | $61,400 | 240 | $56,309 | 54% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $61,310 | 50 | $62,375 | 36% |
| Provo, UT | $61,290 | 480 | $62,393 | 35% |
| Springfield, IL | $61,280 | 100 | $66,074 | 24% |
| Chicago, IL | $61,200 | 3,890 | $59,076 | 42% |
| Champaign, IL | $61,170 | 110 | $65,984 | 27% |
| Durham, NC | $61,170 | 130 | $62,692 | 32% |
| La Crosse, WI | $61,050 | 50 | $66,526 | 27% |
| Rockford, IL | $60,880 | 230 | $66,063 | 26% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $60,840 | 70 | $65,469 | 25% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $60,640 | 120 | $55,840 | 55% |
| Denver, CO | $60,490 | 1,890 | $57,184 | 38% |
| Austin, TX | $60,460 | 1,360 | $61,652 | 32% |
| Boise, ID | $60,420 | – | $61,408 | 38% |
| Providence, RI | $60,420 | 440 | $59,367 | 43% |
| Pueblo, CO | $60,410 | 40 | $65,833 | 26% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $60,370 | 80 | $59,843 | 38% |
| Janesville, WI | $60,320 | 30 | $64,374 | 26% |
| Daphne, AL | $60,160 | 30 | $63,534 | 34% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $60,100 | 270 | $66,007 | 29% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $60,030 | 630 | $59,609 | 35% |
| Green Bay, WI | $59,630 | 90 | $64,059 | 23% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $59,560 | 1,500 | $58,077 | 38% |
| Duluth, MN | $59,550 | 90 | $67,085 | 27% |
| York, PA | $59,540 | 80 | $62,021 | 28% |
| Columbia, SC | $59,310 | 240 | $63,323 | 32% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,290 | 560 | $62,627 | 30% |
| Houston, TX | $59,150 | 1,930 | $59,972 | 33% |
| St. Louis, MO | $59,020 | 1,010 | $62,069 | 29% |
| Dallas, TX | $59,010 | 2,930 | $57,241 | 34% |
| Lancaster, PA | $59,000 | 160 | $60,047 | 32% |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,930 | 930 | $60,535 | 35% |
| Vallejo, CA | $58,870 | 100 | $54,269 | 50% |
| Augusta, GA | $58,800 | 130 | $63,981 | 30% |
| Montgomery, AL | $58,750 | 70 | $65,509 | 28% |
| Tucson, AZ | $58,610 | 340 | $60,488 | 30% |
| Erie, PA | $58,600 | 80 | $64,431 | 23% |
| Springfield, MA | $58,500 | 80 | $60,899 | 40% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $58,450 | 100 | $58,953 | 42% |
| Scranton, PA | $58,380 | 110 | $62,401 | 28% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $58,050 | 110 | $52,823 | 72% |
| Richmond, VA | $57,730 | 490 | $58,994 | 35% |
| Columbus, OH | $57,580 | 390 | $60,313 | 32% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $57,510 | 540 | $58,719 | 39% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $57,300 | 90 | $56,797 | 38% |
| Youngstown, OH | $57,130 | 40 | $65,371 | 22% |
| Kokomo, IN | $57,060 | 40 | $63,649 | 23% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $57,010 | 70 | $60,539 | 34% |
| San Antonio, TX | $56,870 | 790 | $60,043 | 30% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $56,850 | 660 | $59,407 | 32% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $56,800 | 60 | $56,503 | 39% |
| Dayton, OH | $56,720 | 130 | $61,191 | 28% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $56,350 | 440 | $58,131 | 33% |
| Tyler, TX | $56,300 | 90 | $61,092 | 28% |
| Peoria, IL | $56,270 | 120 | $61,679 | 25% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $56,260 | 80 | $63,689 | 40% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $56,230 | 60 | $61,134 | 31% |
| Rochester, MN | $56,220 | 80 | $61,902 | 34% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $56,210 | 80 | $60,655 | 30% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $55,990 | 440 | $58,708 | 33% |
| Kansas City, MO | $55,810 | 650 | $60,307 | 33% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $55,730 | 240 | $56,374 | 44% |
| Naples, FL | $55,160 | 320 | $53,450 | 57% |
| Bloomington, IL | $55,150 | 50 | $58,961 | 28% |
| Toledo, OH | $54,850 | 90 | $59,975 | 28% |
| Cleveland, OH | $54,770 | 350 | $58,314 | 32% |
| Longview, TX | $54,480 | 50 | $60,882 | 25% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $54,470 | 120 | $58,841 | 28% |
| Lubbock, TX | $54,200 | 60 | $59,354 | 29% |
| Killeen, TX | $54,120 | 120 | $59,386 | 29% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $53,920 | 70 | $59,494 | 28% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $53,540 | 1,390 | $53,425 | 39% |
| Rapid City, SD | $52,970 | 50 | $59,410 | 33% |
| Barnstable, MA | $52,560 | 50 | $53,441 | 59% |
| Evansville, IN | $52,560 | 60 | $57,425 | 25% |
| Johnson City, TN | $52,410 | 40 | $59,606 | 34% |
| Nashville, TN | $52,140 | 530 | $54,122 | 41% |
| Sacramento, CA | $51,980 | 720 | $48,730 | 52% |
| Omaha, NE | $51,950 | 210 | $56,522 | 32% |
| The Villages, FL | $51,770 | 50 | $60,604 | 40% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $51,760 | 50 | $59,065 | 28% |
| Tampa, FL | $51,470 | 1,530 | $51,016 | 46% |
| Canton, OH | $50,980 | 30 | $57,021 | 27% |
| Sebastian, FL | $50,980 | 80 | $51,857 | 50% |
| Hartford, CT | $50,860 | 250 | $49,501 | 47% |
| Redding, CA | $50,690 | 40 | $50,346 | 39% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $50,620 | 310 | $46,964 | 63% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $50,600 | 650 | $50,862 | 40% |
| New York, NY | $50,600 | 5,420 | $44,953 | 84% |
| Altoona, PA | $50,480 | 40 | $56,398 | 24% |
| Reading, PA | $50,430 | 100 | $51,958 | 37% |
| Lakeland, FL | $50,300 | 100 | $51,780 | 43% |
| Gainesville, FL | $50,270 | 130 | $51,968 | 39% |
| Oxnard, CA | $50,240 | 210 | $45,452 | 71% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $50,190 | 390 | $49,038 | 44% |
| San Jose, CA | $50,060 | 680 | $45,335 | 91% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $50,010 | 60 | $52,731 | 31% |
| Allentown, PA | $49,940 | 170 | $49,956 | 44% |
| North Port, FL | $49,830 | 380 | $48,654 | 51% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $49,760 | 120 | $49,647 | 56% |
| Worcester, MA | $49,600 | 250 | $48,379 | 51% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $49,560 | 40 | $56,497 | 40% |
| Huntsville, AL | $49,410 | 70 | $53,088 | 34% |
| Crestview, FL | $49,360 | 140 | $50,870 | 48% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,350 | 70 | $55,472 | 30% |
| College Station, TX | $49,320 | 60 | $54,227 | 37% |
| Fresno, CA | $49,290 | 190 | $48,249 | 50% |
| Madison, WI | $49,080 | 260 | $50,449 | 44% |
| Pensacola, FL | $48,960 | 140 | $50,104 | 43% |
| Lawrence, KS | $48,880 | 40 | $54,165 | 38% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $48,850 | 230 | $48,848 | 46% |
| Greenville, SC | $48,730 | 270 | $52,252 | 39% |
| Atlanta, GA | $48,610 | 1,220 | $48,582 | 45% |
| Orlando, FL | $48,480 | 1,250 | $47,802 | 48% |
| Miami, FL | $48,370 | 2,740 | $42,372 | 66% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $48,190 | 190 | $48,849 | 37% |
| Topeka, KS | $48,140 | 60 | $54,200 | 31% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $48,030 | 90 | $52,512 | 38% |
| Akron, OH | $47,990 | 190 | $51,398 | 33% |
| Asheville, NC | $47,780 | 130 | $49,510 | 43% |
| Reno, NV | $47,560 | 200 | $47,083 | 52% |
| Ocala, FL | $47,550 | 80 | $49,930 | 40% |
| McAllen, TX | $47,410 | 140 | $55,195 | 28% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $47,390 | 50 | $47,982 | 49% |
| Memphis, TN | $47,320 | 160 | $51,335 | 35% |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,120 | 170 | $50,903 | 44% |
| South Bend, IN | $47,090 | 80 | $50,712 | 32% |
| El Paso, TX | $46,820 | 190 | $52,073 | 39% |
| Shreveport, LA | $46,810 | 50 | $55,223 | 33% |
| Wichita, KS | $46,560 | 200 | $52,346 | 31% |
| Auburn, AL | $46,060 | 30 | $52,381 | 42% |
| Stockton, CA | $45,400 | 140 | $43,201 | 64% |
| Modesto, CA | $45,360 | 60 | $43,570 | 55% |
| San Diego, CA | $45,200 | 1,820 | $40,398 | 79% |
| Jackson, MS | $45,090 | 90 | $50,636 | 39% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $44,830 | 50 | $51,061 | 26% |
| Riverside, CA | $44,760 | 1,330 | $42,051 | 68% |
| Huntington, WV | $44,150 | 40 | $49,931 | 30% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $43,920 | 170 | $40,368 | 90% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,530 | 5,680 | $38,330 | 81% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $43,480 | 40 | $46,855 | 32% |
| Syracuse, NY | $43,480 | 110 | $45,414 | 45% |
| Little Rock, AR | $43,030 | 210 | $48,151 | 34% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $42,830 | 60 | $49,888 | 38% |
| Billings, MT | $42,090 | 40 | $45,004 | 40% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $41,920 | – | $45,888 | 45% |
| Bloomington, IN | $41,350 | 40 | $43,488 | 51% |
| San Francisco, CA | $40,280 | 1,800 | $34,840 | 103% |
| Deltona, FL | $39,780 | 250 | $40,033 | 53% |
| Charleston, WV | $39,520 | 30 | $44,546 | 37% |
| New Orleans, LA | $39,500 | 180 | $42,658 | 48% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $39,360 | 160 | $42,032 | 53% |
| Napa, CA | $39,330 | 250 | $34,943 | 89% |
| Slidell, LA | $38,130 | 100 | $41,121 | – |
| Tulsa, OK | $37,500 | 170 | $42,034 | 44% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $37,110 | 40 | $43,207 | 35% |
| Gulfport, MS | $36,920 | 80 | $41,019 | 46% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $36,440 | 240 | $38,139 | 49% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $36,380 | 270 | $40,240 | 46% |
| Lafayette, LA | $35,610 | 90 | $40,833 | 47% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $30,820 | 250 | $33,950 | 53% |
| Mobile, AL | $28,010 | 70 | $31,794 | 55% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $27,040 | 40 | $31,541 | 55% |
| Monroe, LA | $21,730 | 60 | $25,994 | 65% |
What the median massage therapist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $58,450 |
| Month | $4,871 |
| Every two weeks | $2,248 |
| Week | $1,124 |
| Hour | $28.10 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a massage therapist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +15.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 20,400 |
| Self-employed | 35.6% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Physical therapist assistant | $68,380 | Associate's degree |
| CNA | $42,260 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Occupational therapy assistant | $72,300 | Associate's degree |
| Dental assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Vet assistant | $38,150 | High school diploma |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Sterile processing technician | $47,700 | High school diploma |
| Home health aide | $35,800 | High school diploma |
Questions about massage therapist pay
How much does a massage therapist make an hour?
The median is $28.10 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $16.17 and the top 10% over $48.17.
How much does a massage therapist make a month?
About $4,871 a month before taxes at the median salary of $58,450, or $2,248 every two weeks.
What state pays massage therapists the most?
Alaska, with a median of $134,930. Washington ($87,360), Oregon ($86,970), Hawaii ($81,280) and New Hampshire ($80,360) follow.
Where do massage therapists make the most after cost of living?
Alaska: its median of $134,930 is worth $131,820 at typical US prices. Oregon, North Dakota and Washington come next.
How much do entry-level massage therapists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of massage therapists earn under $33,640 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $43,480, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a massage therapist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award). Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 31-9011 (Massage Therapists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.