What Massage Therapists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Massage Therapists this way: "Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful"; "Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body"; "Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance"; "Maintain treatment records"; "Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award.
Job outlook for Massage Therapists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 155,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 179,100 in 2035, an increase of 23,700 jobs (+15.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 20,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 13.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 35.6% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,450, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Massage Therapists earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $45,362 in California to $52,737 in New York, a gap of $7,375 (1.16 times). 0 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $58,450 and 3 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 14,200, which is 50.8% of the 27,970 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 7,330.
Highest-paying states
New York ($52,737), New Jersey ($52,586) and California ($45,362) lead the ranking, while California ($45,362) and New Jersey ($52,586) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Massage Therapists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $10,212. The weakest market is Los Angeles County, CA, where the basics cost $2,084 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 1 of the 3 markets and falls short in 2. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 57.4% and 80.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Massage Therapists
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (31-9000) include Medical Equipment Preparers, Dental Assistants, Medical Assistants and Phlebotomists.
Frequently asked questions about Massage Therapists
How much do Massage Therapists earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $58,450. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $45,362 to $52,737.
Which state pays Massage Therapists the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $52,737. New Jersey is next at $52,586.
Is Massage Therapists a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 15.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 20,400 openings a year.
What education do Massage Therapists need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award, according to BLS.
Where can Massage Therapists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $10,212 on a median wage of $50,600.