The Average Pay for a Massage Therapist

Salaries

Massage therapists typically work in several different settings throughout the week, such as fitness centers, private offices, hospitals, nursing homes and even client homes. They typically work less than 40 hours a week due to the travel involved. They may also work evenings and weekends for the convenience of clients. The median salary for this profession is $35,230 per year, with a range of $17,270 to $68,670. This breaks down to $16.94 per hour, with a range of $8.30 to $33.01. These figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2009.

The biggest employers of massage therapists are personal care services, which include massage studios and the self-employed. They make up over 43 percent of the total 55,920 positions and pay a mean wage of $18.13 per hour or $37,700 per year. The highest paying employers are specialty hospitals that do not include psychiatry or substance abuse. They pay $26.49 per hour or $55,100 as a mean, but only offer 50 positions, making them a difficult sector to break into.

The state with the highest pay for massage therapists is Alaska, where a high cost of living raises mean salaries to $40.89 per hour or $85,050 per year. However, only 320 jobs are available here. Second ranked Washington has lower pay at $25.26 per hour or $52,550 but more employment with 2,330 jobs. The city with the highest pay is Anchorage, Alaska, where mean compensation is $41.60 per hour or $86,530 for 260 jobs.

Jobs for massage therapists will grow by 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than average for all occupations, according to the bureau. This is because a growing population is learning about the benefits of massage, and using it as an alternative to more costly medical treatments. Also, massage franchises, which are cheaper than spas and resorts, are also opening up. Licensing by more states is helping the profession achieve respect and legitimacy. Therapists should expect to work part time in spas, hotels and other businesses until they can build up enough clients to become self-employed.