Massage Therapist salary in Louisiana
Massage Therapists in Louisiana earn a median of $36,480 a year ($17.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,680 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $58,450. Louisiana ranks 50th of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.46 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $38,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,080 | $8.69 |
| 25th percentile | $23,330 | $11.22 |
| Median | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| 75th percentile | $48,300 | $23.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Average (mean) | $38,140 | $18.34 |
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 | $3,040 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,520 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,403.08 |
| Weekly | $701.54 |
| Hourly | $17.54 |
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 Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $46,810 | 50 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $42,830 | 60 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $39,500 | 180 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $38,130 | 100 |
| Lafayette, LA | $35,610 | 90 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $30,820 | 250 |
| Monroe, LA | $21,730 | 60 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Dental Assistant | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Phlebotomist | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $30,480 | $14.65 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $22,520 | $10.83 |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $22,460 | $10.80 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,090 | $31.77 |
| Orderly | $27,330 | $13.14 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for massage therapists in Louisiana is $36,480 a year, or $17.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of massage therapists in Louisiana earn at least $59,680 a year. The top 25% earn $48,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,080 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $23,330 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Louisiana?
About 890 massage therapists are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.