Massage Therapists
SOC 31-9011 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Massage Therapists is $55,310, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $62,560, and an estimated 92,650 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +26.8% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +7.7% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 15.4% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Massage Therapists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $55,310 | $55,310 | 92,650 |
| 2022 | $49,860 | $51,912 | 86,270 |
| 2021 | $46,910 | $52,750 | 81,030 |
| 2020 | $43,620 | $51,354 | 85,040 |
Nominal change
+26.8%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+7.7%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+15.4%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
168,000
Projected 2034
193,900
Annual Openings
24,700
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Massage Therapists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $55,310. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $113,300 | +104.8% | 50 |
| Vermont | $94,620 | +71.1% | 120 |
| Alaska | $88,830 | +60.6% | 420 |
| Oregon | $82,170 | +48.6% | 2,320 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $81,700 | +47.7% | 40 |
| Washington | $79,700 | +44.1% | 3,510 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $77,920 | +40.9% | 40 |
| Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $77,680 | +40.4% | 30 |
| Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $77,420 | +40% | 80 |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $75,090 | +35.8% | 120 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$32,240
25th Pct
$41,600
Median
$55,310
75th Pct
$74,970
90th Pct
$95,700
Related Occupations in Healthcare Support
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
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