Massage Therapist Salary in Boston, MA
Massage Therapists in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $75,160 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,167 take-home, or $4,847 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,705
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,660
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,090
- Massachusetts income tax$3,538
- Take-home pay$58,167
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,430 | $22.32 | $37,385 | $3,115 |
| 25th percentile | $52,370 | $25.18 | $41,861 | $3,488 |
| Median (50th) | $75,160 | $36.13 | $58,167 | $4,847 |
| 75th percentile | $103,000 | $49.52 | $76,361 | $6,363 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,710 | $50.34 | $77,478 | $6,456 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,160 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $58,167 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,726 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.3× the national concentration of massage therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for massage therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #6 of 43 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $94,220 | $75,114 | $67,589 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $84,730 | $61,853 | $58,673 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $71,480 | $56,773 | $57,839 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $70,960 | $55,985 | $55,819 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $75,340 | $58,232 | $55,553 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $75,160 | $58,167 | $53,726 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $60,460 | $50,760 | $51,761 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $59,290 | $47,999 | $50,701 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 43 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Boston, MA?
The median massage therapist salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $75,160 a year, or about $36.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $52,370 and $103,000.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $75,160 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $58,167 a year ($4,847 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,538 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,726 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #6 of 43 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median massage therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $80,430
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $75,300
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $60,840
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $60,760
- Dental Assistant — $58,160
- Medical Assistant — $50,740
- Phlebotomist — $50,420
- Psychiatric Aide — $48,100
- Nursing Assistant — $47,590
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,790
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $40,910
- Orderly — $39,800