Personal Care & Fitness

Massage Therapist Salary

Massage therapists manipulate muscles and soft tissues to relieve pain, reduce stress, and promote healing.

Median Salary
$49,860
Mean Salary
$54,200
Total Employed
151,400
Job Growth
+18%

Massage Therapist Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level massage therapists earn around $30,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $51,000. Senior-level massage therapists can earn $82,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$51,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$82,000

Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for massage therapists varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $28,000, while the top 10% earn $88,000.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $28,000
25th Percentile $36,000
50th Percentile (Median) $49,860
75th Percentile $68,000
90th Percentile $88,000

Massage Therapist Salary by State

Massage Therapist salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $84,762, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $41,384.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $84,762 Details →
#2 California $68,807 Details →
#3 Massachusetts $67,311 Details →
#4 Alaska $61,826 Details →
#5 New York $60,829 Details →
#6 New Jersey $57,339 Details →
#7 Washington $57,339 Details →
#8 Connecticut $55,843 Details →
#9 Maryland $54,846 Details →
#10 Oregon $54,846 Details →
#11 Colorado $52,353 Details →
#12 New Hampshire $52,353 Details →
#13 Rhode Island $52,353 Details →
#14 Virginia $51,854 Details →
#15 Delaware $50,359 Details →
#16 Vermont $50,359 Details →
#17 Florida $48,863 Details →
#18 Maine $48,863 Details →
#19 Arizona $48,364 Details →
#20 Minnesota $48,364 Details →
#21 Nevada $48,364 Details →
#22 Utah $48,364 Details →
#23 Pennsylvania $47,866 Details →
#24 Illinois $47,367 Details →
#25 Montana $47,367 Details →
#26 Idaho $46,868 Details →
#27 Georgia $46,370 Details →
#28 New Mexico $46,370 Details →
#29 North Carolina $45,871 Details →
#30 Texas $45,871 Details →
#31 Wisconsin $45,871 Details →
#32 Wyoming $45,871 Details →
#33 Louisiana $45,373 Details →
#34 Indiana $44,874 Details →
#35 Michigan $44,874 Details →
#36 Nebraska $44,874 Details →
#37 North Dakota $44,874 Details →
#38 Ohio $44,874 Details →
#39 Iowa $44,375 Details →
#40 South Carolina $44,375 Details →
#41 Tennessee $44,375 Details →
#42 Missouri $43,877 Details →
#43 South Dakota $43,877 Details →
#44 Alabama $43,378 Details →
#45 Kansas $43,378 Details →
#46 Kentucky $43,378 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $42,880 Details →
#48 Arkansas $41,882 Details →
#49 West Virginia $41,882 Details →
#50 Mississippi $41,384 Details →

Key Responsibilities

  • Assess client pain points
  • Perform therapeutic massage
  • Customize sessions
  • Maintain treatment records
  • Educate on self-care

Top Skills

Massage Techniques Anatomy Client Assessment Communication Physical Stamina Hygiene

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Job Outlook

Much faster than average — projected 18% growth over the next decade