Personal Care & Fitness Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Massage Therapist Salary in Rochester, New York

The median massage therapist salary in Rochester, NY is $44,874 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 26.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$44,874
vs State Avg
$-15,955
vs National
$-4,986
Cost of Living
90%

Massage Therapist Pay in Rochester: What to Expect (2026)

Rochester offers a median massage therapist salary of $44,874, which is $15,955 below the New York state average of $60,829. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Rochester pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rochester's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for massage therapists in Rochester spans from $25,200 at the 10th percentile to $79,200 at the 90th percentile — a $54,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,000, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,800. With a population of 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Massage Therapist Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $27,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$45,900
$-5,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,800
$-8,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $25,200
25th Percentile $32,400
Median (50th) $44,874
75th Percentile $61,200
90th Percentile $79,200

Massage Therapist Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$93,238
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$67,311
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$48,863
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$45,871
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Rochester

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Rochester and the surrounding New York area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Massage TechniquesAnatomyClient AssessmentCommunicationPhysical StaminaHygiene

Job Outlook

Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rochester may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Rochester

Browse open massage therapist positions in Rochester, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Rochester

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Rochester, New York is $44,874 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $25,200 (10th percentile) to $79,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $44,874, a massage therapist in Rochester earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Rochester's median massage therapist salary of $44,874 is 26.2% below the New York state average of $60,829. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, NY? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $44,874 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Rochester? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Rochester require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Massage Techniques, Anatomy, Client Assessment, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.