National Salary Overview
VS
Massage Therapists earns $18,462 more (44.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,274
$41,812
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,071
$42,553
Total Employment
98,600
1,448,920
States with Higher Pay
48
2
Salary by State: Massage Therapists vs Nursing Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Massage Therapists pays more in 48 states; Nursing Assistants pays more in 2.
| State | Massage Therapists | Nursing Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,930 | $34,140 | +$14,790 | ||
| Alaska | $134,930 | $46,370 | +$88,560 | ||
| Arizona | $62,400 | $44,780 | +$17,620 | ||
| Arkansas | $39,990 | $34,430 | +$5,560 | ||
| California | $45,970 | $47,630 | $-1,660 | ||
| Colorado | $61,060 | $47,380 | +$13,680 | ||
| Connecticut | $62,260 | $44,790 | +$17,470 | ||
| Delaware | $58,870 | $42,030 | +$16,840 | ||
| District of Columbia | $64,110 | $47,700 | +$16,410 | ||
| Florida | $49,680 | $37,510 | +$12,170 | ||
| Georgia | $50,820 | $37,680 | +$13,140 | ||
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $45,350 | +$35,930 | ||
| Idaho | $60,420 | $38,650 | +$21,770 | ||
| Illinois | $60,490 | $45,960 | +$14,530 | ||
| Indiana | $55,590 | $38,330 | +$17,260 | ||
| Iowa | $57,710 | $39,350 | +$18,360 | ||
| Kansas | $49,990 | $38,010 | +$11,980 | ||
| Kentucky | $59,790 | $38,370 | +$21,420 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,480 | $30,510 | +$5,970 | ||
| Maine | $73,290 | $47,070 | +$26,220 | ||
| Maryland | $62,270 | $43,240 | +$19,030 | ||
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | $46,680 | +$16,710 | ||
| Michigan | $70,960 | $39,570 | +$31,390 | ||
| Minnesota | $63,070 | $46,680 | +$16,390 | ||
| Mississippi | $40,490 | $31,520 | +$8,970 | ||
| Missouri | $62,050 | $37,680 | +$24,370 | ||
| Montana | $53,540 | $40,900 | +$12,640 | ||
| Nebraska | $53,950 | $40,000 | +$13,950 | ||
| Nevada | $53,540 | $45,490 | +$8,050 | ||
| New Hampshire | $80,360 | $47,870 | +$32,490 | ||
| New Jersey | $50,150 | $46,830 | +$3,320 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,840 | $39,390 | $-1,550 | ||
| New York | $62,630 | $48,590 | +$14,040 | ||
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $38,460 | +$22,190 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,140 | $45,820 | +$28,320 | ||
| Ohio | $55,990 | $39,010 | +$16,980 | ||
| Oklahoma | $36,630 | $35,930 | +$700 | ||
| Oregon | $86,970 | $49,830 | +$37,140 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | $44,590 | +$13,710 | ||
| Rhode Island | $74,960 | $46,440 | +$28,520 | ||
| South Carolina | $58,000 | $37,220 | +$20,780 | ||
| South Dakota | $52,000 | $38,800 | +$13,200 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,070 | $37,990 | +$12,080 | ||
| Texas | $59,370 | $37,500 | +$21,870 | ||
| Utah | $62,130 | $39,840 | +$22,290 | ||
| Virginia | $62,220 | $43,200 | +$19,020 | ||
| Washington | $87,360 | $49,180 | +$38,180 | ||
| West Virginia | $46,600 | $36,720 | +$9,880 | ||
| Wisconsin | $58,070 | $45,130 | +$12,940 | ||
| Wyoming | $61,980 | $39,160 | +$22,820 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Massage Therapists vs Nursing Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Massage Therapists or Nursing Assistants?
On average across all states, a Massage Therapists earns more than a Nursing Assistants. The national median salary difference is $18,462 (44.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Massage Therapists earn more than a Nursing Assistants?
A Massage Therapists earns a higher median salary than a Nursing Assistants in 48 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Nursing Assistants pays more in 2 states.
What is the median salary for a Massage Therapists vs Nursing Assistants?
The national median salary for a Massage Therapists is $60,274 per year, compared to $41,812 for a Nursing Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Massage Therapists or Nursing Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 98,600 Massage Therapists positions and 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Massage Therapists or Nursing Assistants?
Both Massage Therapists and Nursing 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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