Massage Therapist salary in District of Columbia
Massage Therapists in District of Columbia earn a median of $64,110 a year ($30.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,110 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $58,450. District of Columbia ranks 10th of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.17 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $76,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| 25th percentile | $47,680 | $22.93 |
| Median | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| 75th percentile | $96,550 | $46.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,110 | $64.47 |
| Average (mean) | $76,020 | $36.55 |
Half of massage therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,342.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,671.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,465.77 |
| Weekly | $1,232.88 |
| Hourly | $30.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Massage Therapist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $65,220 | 1,540 |
Highest-paying states for massage therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 |
| Washington | $87,360 |
| Oregon | $86,970 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,140 |
| Maine | $73,290 |
| Michigan | $70,960 |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $51,050 | $24.54 |
| Dental Assistant | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,670 | $23.40 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Phlebotomist | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Orderly | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,950 | $18.72 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for massage therapists in District of Columbia is $64,110 a year, or $30.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of massage therapists in District of Columbia earn at least $134,110 a year. The top 25% earn $96,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,130 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $47,680 or less.
How many massage therapists work in District of Columbia?
About 120 massage therapists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.