Personal Care & Fitness Houston, TX Pop. 2,304,580

Massage Therapist Salary in Houston, Texas

The median massage therapist salary in Houston, TX is $47,866 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 4.3% above the Texas state average.

City Median
$47,866
vs State Avg
+$1,995
vs National
$-1,994
Cost of Living
96%

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

Houston offers a median massage therapist salary of $47,866, which is $1,995 above the Texas state average of $45,871. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Houston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Houston's cost of living is 96% 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 Houston spans from $26,880 at the 10th percentile to $84,480 at the 90th percentile — a $57,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,800, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $78,720. As a major metro area with a population of 2,304,580, Houston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Massage Therapist Salary in Houston by Experience

In Houston, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $28,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $78,720 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,800
$-1,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$48,960
$-2,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$78,720
$-3,280 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Houston, TX

Percentile Houston
10th Percentile $26,880
25th Percentile $34,560
Median (50th) $47,866
75th Percentile $65,280
90th Percentile $84,480

Massage Therapist Salary in Other Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$52,353
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$49,860
Pop. 1,304,379
Fort Worth, TX
$45,871
Pop. 918,915
San Antonio, TX
$43,877
Pop. 1,434,625

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Houston

Education

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

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Houston

Browse open massage therapist positions in Houston, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Houston

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Houston, TX? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Houston, Texas is $47,866 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $26,880 (10th percentile) to $84,480 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Houston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $47,866, a massage therapist in Houston earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Houston compare to the Texas state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Houston's median massage therapist salary of $47,866 is 4.3% above the Texas state average of $45,871. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Houston, TX? ▼
Houston has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $47,866 in Houston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Houston? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Houston 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.