How Much Does a Massage Therapist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$58,450
Massage therapists in the U.S. earn a median of $58,450 a year, or $28.10 an hour. Half of massage therapists earn more than $58,450 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $100,200.
Pay percentiles for massage therapists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.17 | $33,640 |
| 25th | $20.91 | $43,480 |
| 50th (median) | $28.10 | $58,450 |
| 75th | $37.66 | $78,320 |
| 90th | $48.17 | $100,200 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Massage Therapists (SOC 31-9011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for massage therapists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 | $64.87 | +131% |
| Washington | $87,360 | $42.00 | +49% |
| Oregon | $86,970 | $41.81 | +49% |
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $39.08 | +39% |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 | $38.63 | +37% |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 | $36.04 | +28% |
| North Dakota | $74,140 | $35.65 | +27% |
| Maine | $73,290 | $35.23 | +25% |
| Michigan | $70,960 | $34.11 | +21% |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 | $30.82 | +10% |
| United States | $58,450 | $28.10 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many massage therapists are there?
BLS counts about 98,790 massage therapists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (14,600), Florida (9,280) and Texas (8,630).
The mean (average) annual wage is $63,830, higher than the median of $58,450.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,871
- Biweekly
- $2,248
- Weekly
- $1,124
- Daily (8 hours)
- $225
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do massage therapists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for massage therapists is $28.10. The middle 50% earn between $20.91 and $37.66 an hour.
Which state pays massage therapists the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for massage therapists at $134,930, +131% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for massage therapists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of massage therapists earn less than $33,640 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.