Massage Therapist salary in Rochester, NY
Massage Therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $66,110 a year ($31.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,000 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 6% higher than the New York statewide median of $62,630. There are 0.41 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $66,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Median | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| 75th percentile | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,000 | $44.23 |
| Average (mean) | $66,960 | $32.19 |
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 | $5,509.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,754.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,542.69 |
| Weekly | $1,271.35 |
| Hourly | $31.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,110 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $80,340 | 40 |
| Kingston, NY | $77,150 | 60 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $68,640 | 120 |
| 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 |
See Massage Therapist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $41,710 | $20.05 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Phlebotomist | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| Orderly | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $59,190 | $28.46 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,330 | $29.96 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,200 | $16.92 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $66,110 a year, or $31.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $92,000 a year. The top 25% earn $85,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $42,910 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Rochester, NY?
About 200 massage therapists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.