Massage Therapist Salary

The average Massage Therapist Salary is calculated by the US Government Bureau of Labor Statistics from a variety of sources. Massage Therapist's work in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics and in private practice.  Massage Therapist salaries vary depending on the location and the setting.  The assumption was made that the Massage Therapist's reflected here were working an average of 40 hours per week with a total of 2080 hours per year. 

Massage Therapist Salary: Median Hourly & Annual Data

Hourly

A Massage Therapist median salary is $15.81 per hour. The lowest 10% earn $7.21 per hour and those in the upper 10% earn more than $34.16 per hour.

Annually

On an annual basis  the median Massage Therapist Salary is $15.81. The lowest 10% earn a salary of $15,000 per year while the upper 10% earn more than $71,060 per year.  These salaries are calculated as a mean or average.

Lowest and Highest Massage Therapist Salary

The lowest paid Massage Therapist's earn less with mean or average wages below $7.50 per hour.  Presumably this is offset by costs of living and other factors.  The lower pay levels are associated with rural areas and schools.  The highest pay levels are  found in major population areas where the mean or average wage is over $25.00 per hour.  Demand and low supply seem to be a significant factor in fueling higher salaries. 

Top 5 States

The top paying states to earn a Massage Therapist Salary are Michigan 95,790, Washington $54,010, New York $52,390, Vermont $51,720, and Ohio $48,420.

 Top 5 Metropolitan Areas

The best city or metropolitan areas to earn a Massage Therapist Salary are Ann Arbor MI $184,300, Portsmouth NH-ME $71,220, New York-White Plains-Wayne NY-NJ $59,520, Olympia WA $58,970, Seattle-Bellevue-Everett WA $57,870.

Other Industries that Employ Massage Therapists

Junior Colleges, Nursing care facilities and other outpatient or ambulatory clinics also employ massage therapists.

Employment Data

According to the US Department of Labor there are approximately 37,670 Massage Therapists who earn a salary in the United States.   

Where They Work

Of all the Massage Therapists employed in the United States over 15,000 work in personal care services.  Approximately 10,000 work in offices of healthcare providers such as chiropractors, physicians and other health care.  4650 work in hotels, airports and other travel related settings.  4400 work in fitness centers, recreational sports centers, ski resorts and other recreational settings. 

Private Practice Vs Employment

Given the nature of the work these professionals perform they are ideally suited for private practice.  A large number of massage therapists earn a salary through private practice.  As such, knowing how to run a business is a good skill to have for this profession.

Benefits

Fringe benefits will vary depending on business size and other factors. To see what a typical benefits package is worth  A typical employment benefits package is worth over $20,000 per year.