Massage Therapist Salary in Richmond, VA
Massage Therapists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $57,730 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,061 take-home, or $3,838 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,748
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,579
- Medicare (1.45%)$837
- Virginia income tax$2,505
- Take-home pay$46,061
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,720 | $19.10 | $32,625 | $2,719 |
| 25th percentile | $53,870 | $25.90 | $43,181 | $3,598 |
| Median (50th) | $57,730 | $27.75 | $46,061 | $3,838 |
| 75th percentile | $91,830 | $44.15 | $68,966 | $5,747 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,910 | $47.55 | $73,540 | $6,128 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,730 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $46,061 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,069 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 about as common in Richmond, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for massage therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #25 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 |
| 25 | Richmond, VA | $57,730 | $46,061 | $47,069 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 43 metros →
Massage Therapist salaries elsewhere in Virginia
- Virginia Beach, VA — $57,510
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Richmond, VA?
The median massage therapist salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $57,730 a year, or about $27.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $53,870 and $91,830.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $57,730 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $46,061 a year ($3,838 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,505 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,069 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #25 of 43 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median massage therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $73,640
- Dental Assistant — $47,760
- Phlebotomist — $46,370
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $46,020
- Medical Assistant — $44,490
- Nursing Assistant — $42,720
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $37,470
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $29,360