How much does a massage therapist make in California?
$45,970a year
Median yearly pay for massage therapists in California. That is $22.10 an hour or $3,831 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.10
- Vs. national median
- -21%
- Rank among states
- 45 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 14,600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,320Median: $45,970Highest 10%: $89,880
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,320 | $16.50 | |
| 25th | $35,170 | $16.91 | |
| Median | $45,970 | $22.10 | |
| 75th | $64,130 | $30.83 | |
| 90th | $89,880 | $43.21 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Chico, CA | $63,290 |
| Salinas, CA | $61,400 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $60,640 |
| Vallejo, CA | $58,870 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $58,050 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $57,300 |
| Sacramento, CA | $51,980 |
| Redding, CA | $50,690 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $50,620 |
| Oxnard, CA | $50,240 |
| San Jose, CA | $50,060 |
| Fresno, CA | $49,290 |
| Stockton, CA | $45,400 |
| Modesto, CA | $45,360 |
| San Diego, CA | $45,200 |
| Riverside, CA | $44,760 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $43,920 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,530 |
| San Francisco, CA | $40,280 |
| Napa, CA | $39,330 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for massage therapists.
| 42. Florida | $49,680 |
| 43. Alabama | $48,930 |
| 44. West Virginia | $46,600 |
| 45. California | $45,970 |
| 46. Mississippi | $40,490 |
| 47. Arkansas | $39,990 |
| 48. New Mexico | $37,840 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $22.10 ($45,970 a year).
Do massage therapists make more in California than the national average?
No: $45,970 against $58,450 nationally, 21% less.
Where does California rank for massage therapist pay?
California ranks 45 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays massage therapists the most?
Chico, CA, with a median of $63,290 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.