National Salary Overview
VS
Massage Therapists earns $15,671 more (35.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,274
$44,602
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,071
$45,471
Total Employment
98,600
817,850
States with Higher Pay
47
3
Salary by State: Massage Therapists vs Medical Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Massage Therapists pays more in 47 states; Medical Assistants pays more in 3.
| State | Massage Therapists | Medical Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,930 | $36,100 | +$12,830 | ||
| Alaska | $134,930 | $52,560 | +$82,370 | ||
| Arizona | $62,400 | $45,940 | +$16,460 | ||
| Arkansas | $39,990 | $37,760 | +$2,230 | ||
| California | $45,970 | $49,660 | $-3,690 | ||
| Colorado | $61,060 | $48,400 | +$12,660 | ||
| Connecticut | $62,260 | $47,430 | +$14,830 | ||
| Delaware | $58,870 | $44,490 | +$14,380 | ||
| District of Columbia | $64,110 | $51,050 | +$13,060 | ||
| Florida | $49,680 | $43,680 | +$6,000 | ||
| Georgia | $50,820 | $41,600 | +$9,220 | ||
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $48,410 | +$32,870 | ||
| Idaho | $60,420 | $44,700 | +$15,720 | ||
| Illinois | $60,490 | $46,090 | +$14,400 | ||
| Indiana | $55,590 | $45,110 | +$10,480 | ||
| Iowa | $57,710 | $45,480 | +$12,230 | ||
| Kansas | $49,990 | $39,510 | +$10,480 | ||
| Kentucky | $59,790 | $39,270 | +$20,520 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,480 | $36,320 | +$160 | ||
| Maine | $73,290 | $47,580 | +$25,710 | ||
| Maryland | $62,270 | $46,410 | +$15,860 | ||
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | $49,460 | +$13,930 | ||
| Michigan | $70,960 | $39,870 | +$31,090 | ||
| Minnesota | $63,070 | $50,480 | +$12,590 | ||
| Mississippi | $40,490 | $35,360 | +$5,130 | ||
| Missouri | $62,050 | $40,440 | +$21,610 | ||
| Montana | $53,540 | $46,820 | +$6,720 | ||
| Nebraska | $53,950 | $47,370 | +$6,580 | ||
| Nevada | $53,540 | $45,200 | +$8,340 | ||
| New Hampshire | $80,360 | $48,020 | +$32,340 | ||
| New Jersey | $50,150 | $47,210 | +$2,940 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,840 | $39,230 | $-1,390 | ||
| New York | $62,630 | $48,000 | +$14,630 | ||
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $45,140 | +$15,510 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,140 | $45,980 | +$28,160 | ||
| Ohio | $55,990 | $42,810 | +$13,180 | ||
| Oklahoma | $36,630 | $38,750 | $-2,120 | ||
| Oregon | $86,970 | $50,410 | +$36,560 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | $43,920 | +$14,380 | ||
| Rhode Island | $74,960 | $47,190 | +$27,770 | ||
| South Carolina | $58,000 | $41,160 | +$16,840 | ||
| South Dakota | $52,000 | $41,870 | +$10,130 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,070 | $39,570 | +$10,500 | ||
| Texas | $59,370 | $39,520 | +$19,850 | ||
| Utah | $62,130 | $45,360 | +$16,770 | ||
| Virginia | $62,220 | $44,740 | +$17,480 | ||
| Washington | $87,360 | $59,290 | +$28,070 | ||
| West Virginia | $46,600 | $37,180 | +$9,420 | ||
| Wisconsin | $58,070 | $48,680 | +$9,390 | ||
| Wyoming | $61,980 | $40,920 | +$21,060 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Massage Therapists vs Medical Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $15,671 (35.1%) based on 2025 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 47 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Medical Assistants pays more in 3 states.
What is the median salary for a Massage Therapists vs Medical Assistants?
The national median salary for a Massage Therapists is $60,274 per year, compared to $44,602 for a Medical Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Massage Therapists or Medical Assistants?
There are more people employed as Medical Assistants. BLS reports approximately 98,600 Massage Therapists positions and 817,850 Medical Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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