Massage Therapist Salary Overview
The Massage Therapist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $49,860. Compensation typically ranges from $28,600 for entry-level positions to $82,800 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Massage Therapist in the US earns between $28,600 and $82,800 per year, with a median of $49,860.
Massage Therapist Salary by Experience
Entry-level massage therapists earn around $32,409, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $67,311 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $34,403 | $17/hr | $29,125 |
| Mid | $49,860 | $24/hr | $40,819 |
| Senior | $68,308 | $33/hr | $53,878 |
| Lead | $73,294 | $35/hr | $56,987 |
Massage Therapist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Massage Therapist in each US state.
Pay for massage therapists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,328 | $3,814 | $39,773 | 20.2% |
| Alaska | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| Arizona | $49,860 | $3,945 | $882 | $3,814 | $41,220 | 17.3% |
| Arkansas | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,968 | $3,814 | $40,133 | 19.5% |
| California | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,282 | $3,814 | $40,819 | 18.1% |
| Colorado | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,534 | $3,814 | $40,567 | 18.6% |
| Connecticut | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,994 | $3,814 | $40,107 | 19.6% |
| Delaware | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,200 | $3,814 | $39,901 | 20.0% |
| District of Columbia | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,916 | $3,814 | $40,185 | 19.4% |
| Florida | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| Georgia | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,079 | $3,814 | $40,022 | 19.7% |
| Hawaii | $49,860 | $3,945 | $3,187 | $3,814 | $38,914 | 22.0% |
| Idaho | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,045 | $3,814 | $40,056 | 19.7% |
| Illinois | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,331 | $3,814 | $39,770 | 20.2% |
| Indiana | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,521 | $3,814 | $40,580 | 18.6% |
| Iowa | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,895 | $3,814 | $40,206 | 19.4% |
| Kansas | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,185 | $3,814 | $39,916 | 19.9% |
| Kentucky | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,868 | $3,814 | $40,233 | 19.3% |
| Louisiana | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,539 | $3,814 | $40,562 | 18.6% |
| Maine | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,133 | $3,814 | $39,968 | 19.8% |
| Maryland | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,195 | $3,814 | $39,906 | 20.0% |
| Massachusetts | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,273 | $3,814 | $39,828 | 20.1% |
| Michigan | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,881 | $3,814 | $40,220 | 19.3% |
| Minnesota | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,940 | $3,814 | $40,161 | 19.5% |
| Mississippi | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,765 | $3,814 | $40,336 | 19.1% |
| Missouri | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,522 | $3,814 | $40,579 | 18.6% |
| Montana | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,834 | $3,814 | $40,267 | 19.2% |
| Nebraska | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,395 | $3,814 | $40,706 | 18.4% |
| Nevada | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| New Hampshire | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| New Jersey | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,262 | $3,814 | $40,839 | 18.1% |
| New Mexico | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,448 | $3,814 | $40,653 | 18.5% |
| New York | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,235 | $3,814 | $39,866 | 20.0% |
| North Carolina | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,670 | $3,814 | $40,431 | 18.9% |
| North Dakota | $49,860 | $3,945 | $688 | $3,814 | $41,413 | 16.9% |
| Ohio | $49,860 | $3,945 | $654 | $3,814 | $41,447 | 16.9% |
| Oklahoma | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,878 | $3,814 | $40,223 | 19.3% |
| Oregon | $49,860 | $3,945 | $3,838 | $3,814 | $38,263 | 23.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,531 | $3,814 | $40,570 | 18.6% |
| Rhode Island | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,474 | $3,814 | $40,627 | 18.5% |
| South Carolina | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,564 | $3,814 | $40,537 | 18.7% |
| South Dakota | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| Tennessee | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| Texas | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| Utah | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,318 | $3,814 | $39,783 | 20.2% |
| Vermont | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,434 | $3,814 | $40,667 | 18.4% |
| Virginia | $49,860 | $3,945 | $2,351 | $3,814 | $39,750 | 20.3% |
| Washington | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
| West Virginia | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,705 | $3,814 | $40,396 | 19.0% |
| Wisconsin | $49,860 | $3,945 | $1,555 | $3,814 | $40,546 | 18.7% |
| Wyoming | $49,860 | $3,945 | $0 | $3,814 | $42,101 | 15.6% |
Top Cities for Massage Therapist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for massage therapists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $54,846 |
| Seattle, WA | $54,846 |
| Hartford, CT | $54,846 |
| Denver, CO | $54,846 |
| Portland, OR | $54,846 |
Calculate Massage Therapist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Massage Therapist
Becoming a massage therapist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Massage Therapist Career Outlook
Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Massage Therapist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for massage therapists in the US is $49,860, with a typical range from $28,600 to $82,800 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for massage therapists include AK, WA, CT. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level massage therapists can expect to earn around $32,409 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a massage therapist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for massage therapists is approximately $23.97, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.