How Much Do Massage Therapists Make? Salary by State (2026)

“How much do massage therapists make?” is a natural question when evaluating this hands-on healthcare career. Massage therapist income depends heavily on location, work setting, hours worked, and specialization. This guide presents verified BLS wage data for massage therapists across every state, explains the factors that drive pay differences, and puts salary in context with licensing costs.

National Salary Overview

According to BLS data (May 2024), the national median annual wage for massage therapists is $0. It is important to note that many massage therapists work part-time, so full-time equivalent earnings may be higher. Additionally, BLS data may not fully capture tips, which are customary in many massage settings.

Massage Therapist Salary by State

The table below shows massage therapist wages across all states with available BLS data, sorted by median annual salary from highest to lowest.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Massage Therapists

These states offer the highest median annual wages for massage therapists according to BLS data:

Licensing Cost vs. Earning Potential

Massage therapy licensing requires completing an approved education program (typically 500–1,000+ hours depending on the state) plus passing a national exam and paying government licensing fees. While education is the largest investment, government fees are modest compared to the national median salary of $0. Most massage therapists can expect to recoup their licensing costs within their first year of practice.

Factors That Affect Massage Therapist Pay

1. Location

As the state data demonstrates, geography plays a significant role in massage therapist compensation. States with higher costs of living, strong tourism industries, and larger wellness-focused populations tend to offer higher wages.

2. Work Setting

Massage therapists work in a variety of settings — spas, chiropractic offices, hospitals, fitness centers, and private practice. Medical and clinical settings (hospitals, physical therapy offices, chiropractic clinics) often pay higher hourly rates than spa or resort positions. Private practice offers the highest per-session income but comes with business overhead.

3. Full-Time vs. Part-Time

A significant portion of massage therapists work part-time due to the physical demands of the profession. The BLS annual median reflects a mix of full-time and part-time workers, so full-time practitioners typically earn above the reported median. The physical nature of the work limits how many sessions most therapists can perform per day.

4. Specialization

Therapists who specialize in modalities like sports massage, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, or prenatal massage can often command higher per-session rates. Medical massage therapists who work with insurance referrals may have more consistent client flow. Advanced certifications open doors to higher-paying niches.

5. Tips and Gratuities

Tips are customary for massage therapy services and represent a meaningful portion of total income that BLS data may not fully capture. In spa settings, tips of 15–20% are common, which can substantially increase take-home pay.

Get Started: Massage Therapist Licensing Requirements

Ready to pursue a massage therapy career? Check your state’s specific licensing requirements, education hours, and fees:

Salary data on this page is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). Licensing cost data is from our verified state-by-state database. Actual earnings vary by location, experience, tips, and employment arrangement. Visit bls.gov for the most current figures.