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Massage Therapist Salary in the United States

How much does a Massage Therapist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Massage Therapist in the United States is $49,514 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, a Massage Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,958
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $40,627 to $54,981
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,536
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Massage Therapist Salaries

A Massage Therapist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Massage Therapist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Massage Therapist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Massage Therapist (0-0 years): $49,514
  • Fitness Instructor I (0-1 years): $38,807
  • Fitness Instructor II (1-3 years): $50,619
  • Personal Trainer (3-5 years): $67,441
  • Fitness Center Supervisor (5+ years): $69,135
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Massage Therapist0-0 years$49,514
Fitness Instructor I0-1 years$38,807
Fitness Instructor II1-3 years$50,619
Personal Trainer3-5 years$67,441
Fitness Center Supervisor5+ years$69,135
View as Graph

How Do Massage Therapist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Massage Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $54,822.
  • California: $54,614.
  • Massachusetts: $53,886.

Top Paying Cities for Massage Therapists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $62,452
  • San Francisco: $61,768
  • Oakland: $60,466

What Skills Can Increase a Massage Therapist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 15.11% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Infection Prevention (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a practical, evidence-based approach which prevents patients and health workers from being harmed by avoidable infection and as a result of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Product Knowledge (Mentioned in 0.28% Job Postings): Product knowledge is the ability to communicate information and answer questions about a product or service. It is considered an important knowledge area for any role that puts you in front of customers, investors or the media.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 15.11%
Infection Prevention 1.61%
Product Knowledge 0.28%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Massage Therapist's salary.

  • Environmental Health: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Environmental Protection: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Environmental Health $54,961
11%
Environmental Protection $54,961
11%
Collaboration $53,970
9%
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Massage Therapist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Massage Therapist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $53,371. While startup companies pay approximate $45,270.

Massage Therapist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $45,270
Growth Stage 51~500 $47,854
Established 501~5000 $51,560
Enterprise 5000+ $53,371

Massage Therapist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Massage Therapist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Massage Therapist positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Massage Therapist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Massage Therapist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$69,320$33.040%

How Education impacts a Massage Therapist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Massage Therapist enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Massage Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $56,078 and $59,852.

Massage Therapist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Massage Therapist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 61.8%
Associates 22.4%
Bachelors 12.3%
Masters 2.3%
Doctorate 0.4%
View as Graph

Massage Therapist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Massage Therapist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$40,627
Average $49,514/year
$54,981
$3,386
Average $4,126/month
$4,582
$781
Average $952/week
$1,057
$20
Average $24/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $54,981 $4,582 $1,057 $26
Average $49,514 $4,126 $952 $24
25th Percentile $40,627 $3,386 $781 $20

Massage Therapist Salary Growth & Career Path

Massage Therapist

Next Role

Advancement

For a Massage Therapist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Fitness Instructor I role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $38,807 - a projected growth of -22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Massage Therapist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Massage Therapist

Here are companies hiring for Massage Therapist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Massage Therapist

1. Where can a Massage Therapist earn the most?

A Massage Therapist's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Massage Therapist earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Massage Therapist is $62,452.

2. What is the highest pay for Massage Therapist?

The highest pay for Massage Therapist is $59,958.

3. What is the lowest pay for Massage Therapist?

The lowest pay for Massage Therapist is $32,536.

4. What are the responsibilities of Massage Therapist?

Performs massage therapy to control pain and promote wellness. Consults with a client, assesses their conditions, and suggests appropriate massage techniques. Utilizes soft or deep tissue massage or other therapeutic massage methods to provide pain relief and promote healing. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. May require applicable certification. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Massage Therapist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Massage Therapist roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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