How much does a Massage Therapist make?
A Massage Therapist earns a median annual salary of $58,450 in the United States, which works out to roughly $28.10 per hour for full-time work. Most Massage Therapists earn between $33,640 at the entry level and $100,200 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $43,480 and $78,320 a year.
That is $2,940 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Massage Therapist salary range by percentile
Half of all Massage Therapists earn between $43,480 and $78,320 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,640 | $16.17 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,480 | $20.90 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,450 | $28.10 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,320 | $37.65 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,200 | $48.17 |
Highest-paying states for Massage Therapist
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Alaska leads the country for Massage Therapist pay at $134,930 a year, followed by Washington ($87,360) and Oregon ($86,970). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $36,480 — a gap of $98,450 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $134,930 | $64.87 | +131% |
| 2 | Washington | $87,360 | $42.00 | +49% |
| 3 | Oregon | $86,970 | $41.81 | +49% |
| 4 | Hawaii | $81,280 | $39.08 | +39% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $80,360 | $38.63 | +37% |
Massage Therapist salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 99,000 people work as Massage Therapists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $63,830 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Massage Therapist make in the United States?
How does Massage Therapist pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Massage Therapists the most?
How long does it take to become a Massage Therapist?
How many Massage Therapists work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other healthcare roles with similar pay.