Massage Therapists pay in California
In California, the median pay for massage therapists is $22.10 an hour ($45,970 a year). About 14,600 people work in this job there.
That is 21% lower than the U.S. median ($58,450). California ranks 45th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for massage therapists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.50 | $34,320 |
| 25% of workers | $16.91 | $35,170 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.10 | $45,970 |
| 75% of workers | $30.83 | $64,130 |
| 90% of workers | $43.21 | $89,880 |
Massage Therapists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chico | $63,290 | 40 |
| Salinas | $61,400 | 240 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $60,640 | 120 |
| Vallejo | $58,870 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $58,050 | 110 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $57,300 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $51,980 | 720 |
| Redding | $50,690 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $50,620 | 310 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $50,240 | 210 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $50,060 | 680 |
| Fresno | $49,290 | 190 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $45,400 | 140 |
| Modesto | $45,360 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $45,200 | 1,820 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $44,760 | 1,330 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $43,920 | 170 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $43,530 | 5,680 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $40,280 | 1,800 |
| Napa | $39,330 | 250 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for massage therapists
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +15.3% over ten years, much faster than average · about 20,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 |
| Respiratory Therapists | $104,820 |
| Skincare Specialists | $38,770 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $38,330 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $81,770 |
| Recreational Therapists | $98,170 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.