Massage Therapist Salary: What You Can Earn in This Fast-Growing Field
In the estimated $16.6 billion industry of massage therapy, there are more opportunities than ever for professionals in the field. With healthcare providers continuing to understand the benefits of massage and incorporating it into their treatment plans, the employment of massage therapists is expected to grow over the next decade, with more than 29,900 new jobs.
But what can you expect to earn as a massage therapist in this fast-growing field? The answer’s a little bit tricky because salary figures also don’t take into account taxes or business-related costs such as the price of paying for space or supplies, meaning that average take-home pay is typically less.
Also, what you earn depends on which city and state you live in, where and how much you work, any certifications or specializations that you have—and how good you are at marketing and garnering your clientele.
According to the BLS, average salaries across the country span a broad range and the state where you work can certainly impact what you might make, as will whether or not you live in a major city or surrounding metropolitan area.
Use the salary widget below, which uses 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to research median massage therapy salary in your state, or any state in the U.S. you’re curious about for that matter.
Where are massage therapists most in demand?
The states with the highest concentration of jobs include: Colorado | Hawaii | Nevada | Alaska | Oregon
Massage Therapists
National data
Median Salary: $55,310
Projected job growth: 18.3%
10th Percentile: $32,240
25th Percentile: $41,600
75th Percentile: $74,970
90th Percentile: $95,700
Projected job growth: 18.3%
State data
State
Median Salary
Bottom 10%
Top 10%
Alabama
$41,920
$20,870
$77,930
Alaska
$88,830
$51,530
$163,240
Arizona
$60,880
$36,000
$101,000
Arkansas
$38,070
$23,890
$106,240
California
$45,400
$32,240
$101,470
Colorado
$56,110
$45,750
$82,070
Connecticut
$59,890
$31,200
$89,730
Delaware
N/A
N/A
N/A
District of Columbia
$59,900
$50,650
$64,200
Florida
$48,940
$32,110
$73,210
Georgia
$58,100
$29,040
$104,000
Hawaii
N/A
N/A
N/A
Idaho
$68,960
$40,790
$82,250
Illinois
$60,670
$29,500
$93,400
Indiana
$58,300
$30,470
$80,900
Iowa
$63,060
$40,420
$104,000
Kansas
$48,120
$29,550
$77,650
Kentucky
$63,780
$42,300
$90,150
Louisiana
$62,870
$26,010
$77,480
Maine
$52,000
$30,160
$90,480
Maryland
$56,960
$35,550
$104,010
Massachusetts
$61,280
$34,470
$101,170
Michigan
$61,950
$34,070
$86,900
Minnesota
$62,770
$45,900
$93,190
Mississippi
$39,980
$24,980
$118,420
Missouri
$52,770
$25,980
$104,000
Montana
$59,400
$22,260
$82,840
Nebraska
$59,910
$38,300
$91,150
Nevada
$44,730
$23,800
$85,020
New Hampshire
$72,960
$54,020
$101,370
New Jersey
$56,380
$42,300
$124,880
New Mexico
$62,470
$24,960
$96,920
New York
$50,210
$35,450
$112,720
North Carolina
$61,570
$36,720
$93,850
North Dakota
$53,450
$28,060
$79,640
Ohio
$51,100
$32,360
$74,540
Oklahoma
$41,600
$28,410
$58,740
Oregon
$82,170
$38,140
$98,880
Pennsylvania
$56,780
$40,180
$79,070
Rhode Island
$56,160
$45,760
$69,100
South Carolina
$47,640
$21,160
$78,230
South Dakota
$46,540
$37,100
$61,090
Tennessee
$49,480
$25,570
$70,130
Texas
$49,550
$27,110
$79,710
Utah
$59,780
$32,930
$109,030
Vermont
$94,620
$27,410
$119,790
Virginia
$52,030
$29,490
$79,680
Washington
$79,700
$56,860
$109,320
West Virginia
$31,080
$24,950
$77,380
Wisconsin
$55,950
$21,840
$88,400
Wyoming
N/A
N/A
N/A
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Which Jobs Pay the Best?
The money you make as a massage therapist is also greatly influenced by the environment in which you work. Per the AMTA, professionals paying visits to clients’ homes or working at resorts earn more per hour, while therapists working at massage therapy chains typically earn the least.
However, keep in mind that while employees working at chains, clinics, and salons make less per hour up front, there are far fewer costs involved than self-employed therapists incur. Regardless of the workplace, nearly two-thirds of massage therapists report earning tips roughly 60% of the time.
*Data sourced from the AMTA Research Report
Factors That Can Impact Massage Therapist Pay
So why the discrepancy in these numbers? A large factor is that massage therapy is not your typical 9-to-5 job, and the BLS calculates salaries based on a traditional workweek. “Fulltime for a massage therapist is technically less than 40 hours per week because of the nature of our job,” says Lisa McNeil, M. Ed, CFSS-M, a licensed massage therapist at the Wisconsin-based Momentum Movement Clinic, who also has years of experience working with Olympic and professional athletes.
The AMTA backs up this claim, citing an average work week of just 26.6 hours, with an average of 46 appointments per month. What’s more, massage therapists were only paid for about 70% of the time they worked, with the remaining hours spent doing non-massage activities related to running a business.
When it comes to salary, there are many other factors to consider as well. While our guide aims to give you a better understanding of what you could make as a massage therapist, remember that, as with most careers, the salary you earn varies widely depending on which city and state you live in, where and how much you work, any specializations that you have, and how good you are at marketing and garnering your clientele. Recent graduates of massage therapy schools also tend to earn on the lower end of the spectrum as it can take a number of years to build a reputation and a base of repeat clients.
Self-Employed Massage Therapist Salary
Working as a self-employed massage therapist means you’ll be able to set your own rates, though what you can charge varies widely depending on where you live, the type of massage you perform, the length of the treatment, and whether you provide extras like aromatherapy or hot stone massage.
According to cost estimators on the professionals-for-hire-site Thumbtack, a standard massage runs between $110 and $140 on average. Massage therapists in major metropolitan areas might be able to charge two or even three times the amount as someone in a small town, so it’s best to do your research in order to decide what the market will allow.
An important thing to keep in mind is that as a self-employed massage therapist, you’ll be responsible for providing any necessary supplies such as a table or chair, sheets, pillows, towels, lotions, and oils. You’ll also need to factor in any costs associated with rent and utilities, scheduling software, advertising expenses, subscriptions to professional resources, fees for licensing, and continuing education. So, while you might charge over $100 an hour for a massage, your take-home pay will be far less.
All that may seem daunting, but the good news is that self-employed massage therapists can deduct most of these expenses from their taxes. Anything considered necessary to run your business can be itemized and potentially lead to a large refund. If you travel to your clients’ homes to perform massage, mileage and the cost of maintaining your car could be a deductible expense. It’s important that you keep a good record of all of your expenses and income (including tips) and file at the appropriate times throughout the year.
“Gone are the days when massage was strictly found at a spa,” McNeil explains. “Massage therapy in the last decade has gained traction as a legitimate adjunct to traditional medical services and, sometimes, an effective alternative to outdated medical practices. Hospitals will be hiring more massage therapists to aid with pain management, hospice care/comfort, and therapy rehab.”
But you can’t just graduate from a traditional program and expect to find a job working in a medical setting, says McNeil. “All students graduate with the ability to do relaxation/self-care, but few graduate with the ability to walk into a hospital or sports medicine clinic without additional education. With the right training, massage students can position themselves as medical providers and build a reputation within the medical community.” Part of that training, she adds, involves choosing a COMTA accredited program that’s strong in anatomy and physiology.
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) offers board certification for professionals who want to demonstrate their dedication and expertise by going beyond the basic entry-level education requirements. Once certified, you can pursue additional education to earn specialty credentials in the healthcare areas of:
Clinical rehabilitative massage
Massage therapy for integrative healthcare
Military veteran massage
Oncology massage
Pain and palliative care
Reflexology
Sports massage
According to the NCBTMB Annual Survey, board-certified massage therapists earned an average of $33,139 per year—$7,000 more than the average reported for AMTA members, whether certified or not.
Board-certified massage therapists can earn an average of $7,000 more a year.
NCBTMB professionals also cited spending the majority of their time working in hospitals and other medical settings, compared to only 23% of the AMTA, and they reported having an average of five additional clients per month.
Perks of Being a Massage Therapist
Massage therapy may not be among the highest-paid industries, but it can offer a good return on investment for the tuition paid and there are other benefits to consider. Many massage therapists enjoy having the ability to work part-time, make their own schedules, and earn extra money alongside another job. (Per the AMTA, 45% of massage therapists earn income working in a second profession.)
Of those who have an employer, the largest reported benefit was free or discounted massages. Between 30% and 50% of full-time employees reported receiving paid time off, health/dental/life insurance, a retirement plan, and free or discounted continuing education.
Becoming a massage therapist in your state
Find comprehensive information about becoming a massage therapist in the top states for the field. Read about required education, exams, licensing and find resources to help you thrive as a massage therapist.
