Massage Therapists pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,690 a year or less, while the top 10% make $90,920 or more. The middle half of massage therapists in Memphis earn between $38,740 and $59,970.
- $28K10th
- $39K25th
- $47KMedian
- $60K75th
- $91K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $52,400 | $4,367 | $25.19 |
| Median | $47,320 | $3,943 | $22.75 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $38,740 | $3,228 | $18.62 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $59,970 | $4,998 | $28.83 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Massage Therapists pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Massage therapists in Memphis earn 9% less than the Tennessee average ($57,350) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($63,830). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $58,450.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $52,400 | $47,320 | $27,690 | $90,920 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $57,350 | $50,070 | $36,960 | $95,260 | 1,230 |
| United States | $63,830 | $58,450 | $33,640 | $100,200 | 98,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Massage Therapists salary after taxes in Memphis
On the average salary of $52,400, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $44,283 a year, or $3,690 a month and $1,703 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $44,283 | $3,690 |
| Working in MS | $42,919 | $3,577 |
| Working in AR | $42,832 | $3,569 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for massage therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $52,400 buys what about $56,846 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 4.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Massage Therapists salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 5th of 5 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($60,960).
- Nashville$60,960
- Chattanooga$55,500
- Johnson City$54,950
- Knoxville$54,850
- Memphis$52,400
Highest-paying cities for massage therapists
Fairbanks, AK pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($116,560).
- Fairbanks, AK$116,560
- Kahului, HI$101,690
- Seattle, WA$92,510
- Salem, OR$91,630
- Manchester, NH$87,500
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Massage Therapists salary in Memphis: questions
How much do massage therapists make an hour in Memphis?
$25.19 an hour on average, and $22.75 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level massage therapists salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $27,690 a year and the 25th percentile is $38,740, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the massage therapists take-home pay in Memphis?
About $44,283 a year ($3,690 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $52,400. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do massage therapists earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% less than the U.S. average for this job ($63,830).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 31-9011; area Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.42, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.42).
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