Understanding salary dynamics for massage therapists on both a national and regional level is essential for professionals and aspiring practitioners alike.
This comparative analysis outlines massage therapist salaries, comparing Texas massage therapist salaries against the national averages as well as salary variations across various Texan cities, shedding light on localized trends and opportunities.
Through this exploration, we aim to provide insights into the factors influencing compensation differentials and offer valuable perspectives for individuals navigating career paths within the massage therapy industry.
All figures on this page are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025, for Massage Therapists (occupation code 31-9011).
Massage Therapist Salaries – Texas vs National
| Area | U.S. | Texas | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employed | 98,790 | 8,630 | |
| Average Hourly Wage | $30.69 | $31.28 | +2% |
| Average Salary | $63,830 | $65,060 | +2% |
| 10th Percentile Salary | $33,640 | $34,870 | +4% |
| 25th Percentile Salary | $43,480 | $50,400 | +16% |
| Median Salary | $58,450 | $59,370 | +2% |
| 75th Percentile Salary | $78,320 | $73,910 | −6% |
| 90th Percentile Salary | $100,200 | $109,970 | +10% |
Key Takeaways
- The average (mean) annual wage for massage therapists in Texas ($65,060, or $31.28 per hour) is about 2% higher than the national average ($63,830, or $30.69 per hour), and the Texas median wage ($59,370) is also slightly above the national median ($58,450).
- Texas wages are above the national figures at the 10th, 25th, and 90th percentiles, and below the national figure at the 75th percentile.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of massage therapists to grow 15% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Factors such as regional cost of living, demand, and work setting (spa, clinic, or self-employment) influence compensation variations between Texas and the rest of the United States. OEWS estimates do not include self-employed workers.
Massage Therapist Salaries by Texas Cities
| Area | Total Employed | Average Hourly Wage | Average Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | 60 | $36.82 | $76,580 | $68,730 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 1,360 | $31.75 | $66,040 | $60,460 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 60 | $25.39 | $52,820 | $49,320 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 80 | $33.08 | $68,800 | $56,210 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 2,930 | $30.00 | $62,390 | $59,010 |
| El Paso, TX | 190 | $28.60 | $59,480 | $46,820 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 1,930 | $30.48 | $63,400 | $59,150 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 120 | $29.95 | $62,290 | $54,120 |
| Longview, TX | 50 | $27.51 | $57,230 | $54,480 |
| Lubbock, TX | 60 | $26.71 | $55,550 | $54,200 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 140 | $26.09 | $54,260 | $47,410 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 790 | $30.08 | $62,570 | $56,870 |
| Tyler, TX | 90 | $33.81 | $70,320 | $56,300 |
| Waco, TX | 60 | $37.68 | $78,360 | $72,560 |
Key takeaways
- Regional disparities: Average (mean) annual wages range from $52,820 in College Station-Bryan to $78,360 in Waco, reflecting regional economic differences and cost of living variances. The average hourly wage ranges from $25.39 to $37.68 between those areas.
- Employment distribution: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington (2,930) and Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (1,930) have the largest numbers of employed massage therapists in Texas, compared with much smaller numbers in areas such as Longview (50).
- Salary discrepancies: These differences highlight the importance of considering geographical location when evaluating potential earnings in the massage therapy profession. Part-time work is common for massage therapists, and OEWS estimates do not include self-employed workers, so individual earnings vary.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, Massage Therapists (31-9011); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Massage Therapists. Figures accessed October 2026.
