National Salary Overview
VS
Physical Therapist Assistants
Median Salary
$67,076
Average (Mean)
$66,841
Employed Nationwide
112,400
Physical Therapist Assistants earns $6,801 more (11.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,274
$67,076
Average (Mean) Salary
$65,071
$66,841
Total Employment
98,600
112,400
States with Higher Pay
12
38
Salary by State: Massage Therapists vs Physical Therapist Assistants
Showing 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. Massage Therapists pays more in 12 states; Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 38.
| State | Massage Therapists | Physical Therapist Assistants | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,930 | $61,430 | $-12,500 | ||
| Alaska | $134,930 | $77,640 | +$57,290 | ||
| Arizona | $62,400 | $64,650 | $-2,250 | ||
| Arkansas | $39,990 | $64,520 | $-24,530 | ||
| California | $45,970 | $83,110 | $-37,140 | ||
| Colorado | $61,060 | $64,810 | $-3,750 | ||
| Connecticut | $62,260 | $75,880 | $-13,620 | ||
| Delaware | $58,870 | $74,610 | $-15,740 | ||
| District of Columbia | $64,110 | $63,400 | +$710 | ||
| Florida | $49,680 | $72,530 | $-22,850 | ||
| Georgia | $50,820 | $72,800 | $-21,980 | ||
| Hawaii | $81,280 | $67,510 | +$13,770 | ||
| Idaho | $60,420 | $61,020 | $-600 | ||
| Illinois | $60,490 | $65,240 | $-4,750 | ||
| Indiana | $55,590 | $65,280 | $-9,690 | ||
| Iowa | $57,710 | $61,030 | $-3,320 | ||
| Kansas | $49,990 | $64,500 | $-14,510 | ||
| Kentucky | $59,790 | $61,480 | $-1,690 | ||
| Louisiana | $36,480 | $65,370 | $-28,890 | ||
| Maine | $73,290 | $66,250 | +$7,040 | ||
| Maryland | $62,270 | $77,670 | $-15,400 | ||
| Massachusetts | $63,390 | $79,460 | $-16,070 | ||
| Michigan | $70,960 | $61,670 | +$9,290 | ||
| Minnesota | $63,070 | $66,770 | $-3,700 | ||
| Mississippi | $40,490 | $61,770 | $-21,280 | ||
| Missouri | $62,050 | $63,770 | $-1,720 | ||
| Montana | $53,540 | $62,650 | $-9,110 | ||
| Nebraska | $53,950 | $61,370 | $-7,420 | ||
| Nevada | $53,540 | $75,520 | $-21,980 | ||
| New Hampshire | $80,360 | $71,440 | +$8,920 | ||
| New Jersey | $50,150 | $78,440 | $-28,290 | ||
| New Mexico | $37,840 | $62,280 | $-24,440 | ||
| New York | $62,630 | $64,100 | $-1,470 | ||
| North Carolina | $60,650 | $67,540 | $-6,890 | ||
| North Dakota | $74,140 | $63,520 | +$10,620 | ||
| Ohio | $55,990 | $63,820 | $-7,830 | ||
| Oklahoma | $36,630 | $59,480 | $-22,850 | ||
| Oregon | $86,970 | $73,180 | +$13,790 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | $62,580 | $-4,280 | ||
| Rhode Island | $74,960 | $68,640 | +$6,320 | ||
| South Carolina | $58,000 | $70,500 | $-12,500 | ||
| South Dakota | $52,000 | $49,310 | +$2,690 | ||
| Tennessee | $50,070 | $62,500 | $-12,430 | ||
| Texas | $59,370 | $78,000 | $-18,630 | ||
| Utah | $62,130 | $61,980 | +$150 | ||
| Virginia | $62,220 | $73,760 | $-11,540 | ||
| Washington | $87,360 | $66,450 | +$20,910 | ||
| West Virginia | $46,600 | $60,430 | $-13,830 | ||
| Wisconsin | $58,070 | $64,080 | $-6,010 | ||
| Wyoming | $61,980 | $63,550 | $-1,570 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Massage Therapists vs Physical Therapist Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Massage Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants?
On average across all states, a Physical Therapist Assistants earns more than a Massage Therapists. The national median salary difference is $6,801 (11.3%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Massage Therapists earn more than a Physical Therapist Assistants?
A Massage Therapists earns a higher median salary than a Physical Therapist Assistants in 12 out of 50 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Physical Therapist Assistants pays more in 38 states.
What is the median salary for a Massage Therapists vs Physical Therapist Assistants?
The national median salary for a Massage Therapists is $60,274 per year, compared to $67,076 for a Physical Therapist Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Massage Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants?
There are more people employed as Physical Therapist Assistants. BLS reports approximately 98,600 Massage Therapists positions and 112,400 Physical Therapist Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Massage Therapists or Physical Therapist Assistants?
Both Massage Therapists and Physical Therapist 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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