National Salary Overview
VS
Massage Therapists earns $11,174 more (22.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$49,100
$60,274
Average (Mean) Salary
$49,858
$65,071
Total Employment
384,650
98,600
States with Higher Pay
6
43
Salary by State: Dental Assistants vs Massage Therapists
Showing 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. Dental Assistants pays more in 6 states; Massage Therapists pays more in 43.
| State | Dental Assistants | Massage Therapists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,080 | $48,930 | $-9,850 | ||
| Alaska | $57,710 | $134,930 | $-77,220 | ||
| Arizona | $49,000 | $62,400 | $-13,400 | ||
| Arkansas | $42,830 | $39,990 | +$2,840 | ||
| California | $50,110 | $45,970 | +$4,140 | ||
| Colorado | $48,340 | $61,060 | $-12,720 | ||
| Connecticut | $56,850 | $62,260 | $-5,410 | ||
| Delaware | $47,600 | $58,870 | $-11,270 | ||
| District of Columbia | $60,580 | $64,110 | $-3,530 | ||
| Florida | $47,620 | $49,680 | $-2,060 | ||
| Georgia | $46,840 | $50,820 | $-3,980 | ||
| Hawaii | $44,720 | $81,280 | $-36,560 | ||
| Idaho | $45,880 | $60,420 | $-14,540 | ||
| Illinois | $48,610 | $60,490 | $-11,880 | ||
| Indiana | $48,670 | $55,590 | $-6,920 | ||
| Iowa | $48,430 | $57,710 | $-9,280 | ||
| Kentucky | $47,730 | $59,790 | $-12,060 | ||
| Louisiana | $44,090 | $36,480 | +$7,610 | ||
| Maine | $60,070 | $73,290 | $-13,220 | ||
| Maryland | $48,620 | $62,270 | $-13,650 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,980 | $63,390 | $-5,410 | ||
| Michigan | $48,820 | $70,960 | $-22,140 | ||
| Minnesota | $65,270 | $63,070 | +$2,200 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,160 | $40,490 | $-1,330 | ||
| Missouri | $45,970 | $62,050 | $-16,080 | ||
| Montana | $46,680 | $53,540 | $-6,860 | ||
| Nebraska | $46,660 | $53,950 | $-7,290 | ||
| Nevada | $47,110 | $53,540 | $-6,430 | ||
| New Hampshire | $59,530 | $80,360 | $-20,830 | ||
| New Jersey | $49,390 | $50,150 | $-760 | ||
| New Mexico | $44,400 | $37,840 | +$6,560 | ||
| New York | $48,110 | $62,630 | $-14,520 | ||
| North Carolina | $50,380 | $60,650 | $-10,270 | ||
| North Dakota | $57,770 | $74,140 | $-16,370 | ||
| Ohio | $47,970 | $55,990 | $-8,020 | ||
| Oklahoma | $45,740 | $36,630 | +$9,110 | ||
| Oregon | $59,490 | $86,970 | $-27,480 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,930 | $58,300 | $-10,370 | ||
| Rhode Island | $50,150 | $74,960 | $-24,810 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,320 | $58,000 | $-10,680 | ||
| South Dakota | $47,900 | $52,000 | $-4,100 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,720 | $50,070 | $-3,350 | ||
| Texas | $45,430 | $59,370 | $-13,940 | ||
| Utah | $37,760 | $62,130 | $-24,370 | ||
| Virginia | $46,670 | $62,220 | $-15,550 | ||
| Washington | $58,090 | $87,360 | $-29,270 | ||
| West Virginia | $37,960 | $46,600 | $-8,640 | ||
| Wisconsin | $47,520 | $58,070 | $-10,550 | ||
| Wyoming | $44,990 | $61,980 | $-16,990 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Dental Assistants vs Massage Therapists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Dental Assistants or Massage Therapists?
On average across all states, a Massage Therapists earns more than a Dental Assistants. The national median salary difference is $11,174 (22.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Dental Assistants earn more than a Massage Therapists?
A Dental Assistants earns a higher median salary than a Massage Therapists in 6 out of 49 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Massage Therapists pays more in 43 states.
What is the median salary for a Dental Assistants vs Massage Therapists?
The national median salary for a Dental Assistants is $49,100 per year, compared to $60,274 for a Massage Therapists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Dental Assistants or Massage Therapists?
There are more people employed as Dental Assistants. BLS reports approximately 384,650 Dental Assistants positions and 98,600 Massage Therapists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Dental Assistants or Massage Therapists?
Both Dental Assistants and Massage Therapists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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