Massage Therapist salary in Tennessee
Massage Therapists in Tennessee earn a median of $50,070 a year ($24.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,260 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $58,450. Tennessee ranks 40th of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.38 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $57,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Median | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| 75th percentile | $64,050 | $30.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,260 | $45.80 |
| Average (mean) | $57,350 | $27.57 |
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 | $4,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,086.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,925.77 |
| Weekly | $962.88 |
| Hourly | $24.07 |
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 Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,120 | 170 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $39,570 | $19.02 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,320 | $17.46 |
| Phlebotomist | $38,550 | $18.53 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,990 | $18.27 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Orderly | $31,840 | $15.31 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $30,320 | $14.58 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for massage therapists in Tennessee is $50,070 a year, or $24.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of massage therapists in Tennessee earn at least $95,260 a year. The top 25% earn $64,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,960 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $46,920 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Tennessee?
About 1,230 massage therapists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.