Massage Therapist salary in New York
Massage Therapists in New York earn a median of $62,630 a year ($30.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,210 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $58,450. New York ranks 13th of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.46 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $67,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Median | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| 75th percentile | $90,030 | $43.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,210 | $52.99 |
| Average (mean) | $67,860 | $32.63 |
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 | $5,219.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,609.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,408.85 |
| Weekly | $1,204.42 |
| Hourly | $30.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Massage Therapist salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $80,340 | 40 |
| Kingston, NY | $77,150 | 60 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $68,640 | 120 |
| Rochester, NY | $66,110 | 200 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $62,310 | 190 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $61,830 | 210 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,600 | 5,420 |
| Syracuse, NY | $43,480 | 110 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Phlebotomist | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Orderly | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,100 | $30.82 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for massage therapists in New York is $62,630 a year, or $30.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in New York?
The top 10% of massage therapists in New York earn at least $110,210 a year. The top 25% earn $90,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,280 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $37,410 or less.
How many massage therapists work in New York?
About 4,500 massage therapists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.