Massage Therapist Salary in Washington, DC
Massage Therapists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $65,220 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,791 take-home, or $4,316 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,646
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,044
- Medicare (1.45%)$946
- District of Columbia income tax$2,793
- Take-home pay$51,791
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,140 | $22.18 | $37,651 | $3,138 |
| 25th percentile | $55,420 | $26.64 | $44,551 | $3,713 |
| Median (50th) | $65,220 | $31.36 | $51,791 | $4,316 |
| 75th percentile | $104,110 | $50.05 | $76,191 | $6,349 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,250 | $63.58 | $93,386 | $7,782 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,220 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $51,791 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,566 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 Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.77), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for massage therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Washington, DC | $65,220 | $51,791 | $47,566 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median massage therapist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $65,220 a year, or about $31.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,420 and $104,110.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $65,220 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $51,791 a year ($4,316 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,793 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,566 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #23 of 43 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median massage therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $78,790
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $55,770
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $50,600
- Phlebotomist — $49,030
- Dental Assistant — $47,540
- Medical Assistant — $46,640
- Nursing Assistant — $45,730
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $45,320
- Pharmacy Aide — $40,160
- Orderly — $39,160
- Medical Transcriptionist — $38,540
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,530