National Salary Overview
VS
Massage Therapists earns $15,690 more (37.8%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$57,224
$41,533
Average (Mean) Salary
$60,910
$42,404
Total Employment
90,960
763,020
States with Higher Pay
46
2
Salary by State: Massage Therapists vs Medical Assistants
Showing 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. Massage Therapists pays more in 46 states; Medical Assistants pays more in 2.
| State | Massage Therapists | Medical Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,920 | $34,050 | +$7,870 | ||
| Alaska | $88,830 | $50,160 | +$38,670 | ||
| Arizona | $60,880 | $43,770 | +$17,110 | ||
| Arkansas | $38,070 | $35,050 | +$3,020 | ||
| California | $45,400 | $46,690 | $-1,290 | ||
| Colorado | $56,110 | $45,770 | +$10,340 | ||
| Connecticut | $59,890 | $45,780 | +$14,110 | ||
| District of Columbia | $59,900 | $48,710 | +$11,190 | ||
| Florida | $48,940 | $38,340 | +$10,600 | ||
| Georgia | $58,100 | $38,060 | +$20,040 | ||
| Idaho | $68,960 | $40,670 | +$28,290 | ||
| Illinois | $60,670 | $42,850 | +$17,820 | ||
| Indiana | $58,300 | $40,680 | +$17,620 | ||
| Iowa | $63,060 | $42,980 | +$20,080 | ||
| Kansas | $48,120 | $37,670 | +$10,450 | ||
| Kentucky | $63,780 | $37,140 | +$26,640 | ||
| Louisiana | $62,870 | $34,280 | +$28,590 | ||
| Maine | $52,000 | $44,610 | +$7,390 | ||
| Maryland | $56,960 | $44,010 | +$12,950 | ||
| Massachusetts | $61,280 | $47,770 | +$13,510 | ||
| Michigan | $61,950 | $38,300 | +$23,650 | ||
| Minnesota | $62,770 | $48,890 | +$13,880 | ||
| Mississippi | $39,980 | $34,040 | +$5,940 | ||
| Missouri | $52,770 | $38,260 | +$14,510 | ||
| Montana | $59,400 | $44,040 | +$15,360 | ||
| Nebraska | $59,910 | $39,870 | +$20,040 | ||
| Nevada | $44,730 | $39,940 | +$4,790 | ||
| New Hampshire | $72,960 | $46,240 | +$26,720 | ||
| New Jersey | $56,380 | $45,340 | +$11,040 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,470 | $37,640 | +$24,830 | ||
| New York | $50,210 | $45,440 | +$4,770 | ||
| North Carolina | $61,570 | $40,190 | +$21,380 | ||
| North Dakota | $53,450 | $40,880 | +$12,570 | ||
| Ohio | $51,100 | $38,280 | +$12,820 | ||
| Oklahoma | $41,600 | $37,240 | +$4,360 | ||
| Oregon | $82,170 | $48,350 | +$33,820 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $56,780 | $39,480 | +$17,300 | ||
| Rhode Island | $56,160 | $43,980 | +$12,180 | ||
| South Carolina | $47,640 | $37,420 | +$10,220 | ||
| South Dakota | $46,540 | $36,280 | +$10,260 | ||
| Tennessee | $49,480 | $37,350 | +$12,130 | ||
| Texas | $49,550 | $37,570 | +$11,980 | ||
| Utah | $59,780 | $40,270 | +$19,510 | ||
| Vermont | $94,620 | $44,480 | +$50,140 | ||
| Virginia | $52,030 | $40,240 | +$11,790 | ||
| Washington | $79,700 | $52,600 | +$27,100 | ||
| West Virginia | $31,080 | $34,340 | $-3,260 | ||
| Wisconsin | $55,950 | $46,320 | +$9,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Massage Therapists or Medical Assistants?
On average across all states, a Massage Therapists earns more than a Medical Assistants. The national median salary difference is $15,690 (37.8%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Massage Therapists earn more than a Medical Assistants?
A Massage Therapists earns a higher median salary than a Medical Assistants in 46 out of 48 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Assistants pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Massage Therapists vs Medical Assistants?
The national median salary for a Massage Therapists is $57,224 per year, compared to $41,533 for a Medical Assistants, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Massage Therapists or Medical Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 90,960 Massage Therapists positions and 763,020 Medical Assistants positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Massage Therapists or Medical Assistants?
Both Massage Therapists and Medical Assistants 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.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.