Massage Therapist Salary in Tampa, FL
Massage Therapists in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $51,470 a year — 12% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $43,536 take-home, or $3,628 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,996
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,191
- Medicare (1.45%)$746
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$43,536
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,650 | $15.22 | $27,611 | $2,301 |
| 25th percentile | $46,170 | $22.20 | $39,278 | $3,273 |
| Median (50th) | $51,470 | $24.75 | $43,536 | $3,628 |
| 75th percentile | $58,740 | $28.24 | $49,378 | $4,115 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,720 | $34.00 | $58,582 | $4,882 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $51,470 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $43,536 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,152 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Tampa, FL has 1.7× 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
Tampa, FL ranks #32 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 |
| 32 | Tampa, FL | $51,470 | $43,536 | $43,152 |
*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 Florida
- Jacksonville, FL — $50,600
- Orlando, FL — $48,480
- Miami, FL — $48,370
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Tampa, FL?
The median massage therapist salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $51,470 a year, or about $24.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,170 and $58,740.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $51,470 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $43,536 a year ($3,628 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 12% below the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,152 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #32 of 43 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 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 Tampa, FL
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $72,820
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $70,170
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $47,180
- Dental Assistant — $46,890
- Medical Assistant — $44,480
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $44,440
- Phlebotomist — $39,220
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $38,000
- Nursing Assistant — $37,470
- Orderly — $35,410
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,210