Massage Therapist salary in Knoxville, TN
Massage Therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $47,120 a year ($22.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $15,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,480 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $50,070. There are 0.41 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $54,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15,690 | $7.54 |
| 25th percentile | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Median | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| 75th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,480 | $46.87 |
| Average (mean) | $54,850 | $26.37 |
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 | $3,926.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,963.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,812.31 |
| Weekly | $906.15 |
| Hourly | $22.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Massage Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TN | $52,410 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,140 | 530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $48,030 | 90 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,320 | 160 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,660 | $17.15 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,200 | $14.52 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $47,120 a year, or $22.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $15,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $97,480 a year. The top 25% earn $80,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15,690 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $46,340 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 170 massage therapists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.