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Massage Therapists in Massachusetts
Want to work as a Massage Therapists in Massachusetts? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Massage Therapists Make in Massachusetts?
For massage therapists working in Massachusetts, wages run about $59,470 per year (or roughly $28.59/hour).Earnings range from $41,430 at the 10th percentile to $104,370 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,430 | $19.92 |
| 25th percentile | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Median (50th) | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| 75th percentile | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| 90th percentile | $104,370 | $50.18 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Massachusetts compared to the national average — is 1.10.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, massage therapists earn a median of $44,831 per year ($21.55/hour), exceeding the Massachusetts median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 832,253 massage therapists nationwide. In Massachusetts alone, about 2,490 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,280 massage therapists.
Top Massachusetts Metros for Massage Therapists
The largest metro-area employers of massage therapists in Massachusetts.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 1,840 | $60,050 |
| Worcester, MA | 230 | $58,070 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 110 | $81,720 |
| Springfield, MA | 70 | $57,320 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 50 | $53,060 |
Top States for Massage Therapists Employment
View the states that employ the most massage therapists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 15,240 |
| Texas | 7,780 |
| Florida | 7,660 |
| New York | 4,700 |
| Illinois | 4,600 |
| Colorado | 4,160 |
| Washington | 3,590 |
| Arizona | 2,840 |
| North Carolina | 2,750 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,700 |
| Massachusetts | 2,490 |
| Ohio | 2,480 |
| New Jersey | 2,430 |
| Oregon | 2,280 |
| Virginia | 2,150 |
| Michigan | 2,060 |
| Nevada | 2,050 |
| Georgia | 2,020 |
| Utah | 1,820 |
| Wisconsin | 1,610 |
Highest-Paying States for Massage Therapists
The highest-paying states for massage therapists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $135,200 |
| Vermont | $105,490 |
| Oregon | $82,860 |
| Washington | $82,820 |
| Hawaii | $80,590 |
| Minnesota | $75,500 |
| North Dakota | $70,720 |
| Idaho | $70,470 |
| Maine | $67,420 |
| Missouri | $66,870 |
Skills
Key massage therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for massage therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, massage therapists typically:
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Maintain treatment records.
- Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
- Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
- Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
- Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
- Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin.
- Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Handling and Moving Objects
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to massage therapists include:
- Chiropractors
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Radiation Therapists
- Recreational Therapists
- Respiratory Therapists
Also Known As
Bodywork Therapist, Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Clinical Massage Therapist, Deep Tissue Massage Therapist, Integrated Deep Tissue Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP), Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Massage Operator, Massage Therapist, Masseur, Masseuse, Massotherapist, Mechanotherapist, Medical Massage Therapist, Registered Massage Therapist (RMT).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 31-9011.00