verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Massage Therapist Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$45,970/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$22.10/hr
▼ 21% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
14,600
public U.S. Median
$58,450
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$41,519 #48 of 50

Massage Therapist pay in California, explained

Massage therapists in California earn a median of $45,970 per year ($22.10 per hour), which is 21% below the national median of $58,450. Entry-level workers earn around $34,320, while the most experienced massage therapists reach about $89,880. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $45,970 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $45,970 is worth about $41,519 in national buying power — ranking California #48 for real pay (vs #45 on the sticker number).

See the full Massage Therapist Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Massage Therapist pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$34,320
$16.50/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$45,970
$22.10/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$89,880
$43.21/hr

Massage Therapist pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $45,970 $41,519
Oregon $86,970 $84,142 −$41,000
Arizona $62,400 $61,980 −$16,430
Nevada $53,540 $53,551 −$7,570

Massage Therapist in California: FAQ

How much do massage therapists make in California?

Massage therapists in California earn a median of $45,970 per year ($22.10 per hour), compared with $58,450 nationally.

Does California pay massage therapists well?

At $45,970, California pays 21% below the national median for massage therapists. An estimated 14,600 work in the state.

Massage Therapist salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in California