Massage Therapist salary in Kentucky
Massage Therapists in Kentucky earn a median of $59,790 a year ($28.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,290 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $58,450. Kentucky ranks 25th of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.39 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $65,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| 25th percentile | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Median | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| 75th percentile | $85,060 | $40.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,290 | $45.81 |
| Average (mean) | $65,060 | $31.28 |
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 | $4,982.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,491.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,299.62 |
| Weekly | $1,149.81 |
| Hourly | $28.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Massage Therapist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $76,250 | 170 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $68,230 | 380 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,990 | 440 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $44,150 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Phlebotomist | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,880 | $22.54 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $34,610 | $16.64 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Orderly | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $38,610 | $18.56 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for massage therapists in Kentucky is $59,790 a year, or $28.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of massage therapists in Kentucky earn at least $95,290 a year. The top 25% earn $85,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,210 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $47,470 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Kentucky?
About 780 massage therapists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.