Massage Therapist Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Massage Therapists in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $55,990 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,411 take-home, or $3,868 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,539
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,471
- Medicare (1.45%)$812
- Ohio income tax$757
- Take-home pay$46,411
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,970 | $22.10 | $38,635 | $3,220 |
| 25th percentile | $49,930 | $24.00 | $41,708 | $3,476 |
| Median (50th) | $55,990 | $26.92 | $46,411 | $3,868 |
| 75th percentile | $61,190 | $29.42 | $50,446 | $4,204 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,010 | $47.12 | $75,867 | $6,322 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,990 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $46,411 take-home pay has the buying power of $48,664 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Massage Therapist jobs are less concentrated in Cincinnati, OH than nationally (location quotient 0.62), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for massage therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Cincinnati, OH ranks #17 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 |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH | $55,990 | $46,411 | $48,664 |
*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 Cincinnati, OH?
The median massage therapist salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $55,990 a year, or about $26.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,930 and $61,190.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $55,990 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $46,411 a year ($3,868 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $757 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $48,664 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #17 of 43 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median massage therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $67,460
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $65,170
- Dental Assistant — $49,590
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $48,130
- Medical Assistant — $44,340
- Phlebotomist — $43,140
- Nursing Assistant — $40,350
- Orderly — $36,980
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $36,890
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,210