Personal Care & Fitness Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Massage Therapist Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median massage therapist salary in Cleveland, OH is $42,880 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$42,880
vs State Avg
$-1,994
vs National
$-6,980
Cost of Living
86%

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

Cleveland offers a median massage therapist salary of $42,880, which is $1,994 below the Ohio state average of $44,874. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $42,880 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $49,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for massage therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for massage therapists in Cleveland spans from $24,080 at the 10th percentile to $75,680 at the 90th percentile — a $51,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,800, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $70,520. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Massage Therapist Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $25,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $70,520 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,860
$-7,140 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$70,520
$-11,480 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $24,080
25th Percentile $30,960
Median (50th) $42,880
75th Percentile $58,480
90th Percentile $75,680

Massage Therapist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$47,367
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$44,874
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$41,882
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$40,885
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Cleveland

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio 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 Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open massage therapist positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $42,880 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $24,080 (10th percentile) to $75,680 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $42,880, a massage therapist in Cleveland earns approximately $21 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Cleveland's median massage therapist salary of $42,880 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $44,874. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $42,880 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Cleveland? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Cleveland 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.