Massage Therapist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Massage Therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $61,830 a year ($29.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,560 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 1% lower than the New York statewide median of $62,630. There are 0.40 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $63,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $32,490 | $15.62 |
| Median | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| 75th percentile | $84,170 | $40.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Average (mean) | $63,080 | $30.33 |
Half of massage therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,152.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,576.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,378.08 |
| Weekly | $1,189.04 |
| Hourly | $29.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Massage Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $80,340 | 40 |
| Kingston, NY | $77,150 | 60 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $68,640 | 120 |
| Rochester, NY | $66,110 | 200 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $62,310 | 190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,600 | 5,420 |
| Syracuse, NY | $43,480 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for massage therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 |
| Washington | $87,360 |
| Oregon | $86,970 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,140 |
| Maine | $73,290 |
| Michigan | $70,960 |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 |
See Massage Therapist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Orderly | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $51,140 | $24.59 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $61,830 a year, or $29.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $91,560 a year. The top 25% earn $84,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $32,490 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 210 massage therapists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.