Massage Therapist salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Massage Therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $39,500 a year ($18.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,320 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 8% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $36,480. There are 0.40 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $44,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,860 | $9.07 |
| 25th percentile | $24,320 | $11.69 |
| Median | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| 75th percentile | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,320 | $37.66 |
| Average (mean) | $44,580 | $21.44 |
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 | $3,291.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,645.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,519.23 |
| Weekly | $759.62 |
| Hourly | $18.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Massage Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $46,810 | 50 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $42,830 | 60 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $38,130 | 100 |
| Lafayette, LA | $35,610 | 90 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $30,820 | 250 |
| Monroe, LA | $21,730 | 60 |
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 |
See Massage Therapist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $36,780 | $17.69 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Dental Assistant | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,320 | $18.43 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,650 | $11.37 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,980 | $35.57 |
| Orderly | $27,270 | $13.11 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,850 | $31.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for massage therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $39,500 a year, or $18.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $78,320 a year. The top 25% earn $50,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,860 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $24,320 or less.
How many massage therapists work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 180 massage therapists are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.