How Much Does a Massage Therapist Earn?

Key Data on Massage Therapist Earnings & Salary:

 

• Average base hourly rate Massage Therapists in 2026, according to PayScale, is $33.28/hour, with a potential high of $54.36.
• As a yearly salary, this comes to a base of $53,750 per annum, with comprehensive packages reaching as high as $109,000.
• Changing conversations on qualified, effective massage therapy and their respective demand has seen a call for increased investment into the industry over the coming years.

 

If you have been considering a career as a massage therapist in 2026, there are a few key things to keep in mind. One of them is undoubtedly a salary, but there are some other elements to the role that are also worth considering before making your final decision.

Massage therapy jobs are in high demand experiencing significant growth when compared to other traditional roles in the healthcare fields. The industry expects a 20.6% projected job growth in the next five years.

 

How much does a massage therapist earn?

We’ll get the biggest question out of the way first. The average registered Massage Therapist hourly pay in Australia ranges from AU$25.44 to $54.36, with an increase in the average median from $28.40 to $33.28, landing you anywhere in the vicinity of $54K  to upwards of $70k in base pay per year, full-time. Depending on your level of experience, this can be significantly higher, with top tier Massage Therapists earning up to $109K a year.

The above figures apply to standard with a slightly higher fee for remedial therapy, however, it differs again for Myotherapy, which is slightly higher at a rate of AU$35.38. The primary role of a Myotherapist is the development of a treatment plan for patients that uses both alternative and natural medicinal healing methods. Myotherapists have a vast knowledge of various medical conditions, which leads to a higher wage. They can work independently, for organisations and can also travel.

Your location will also often determine your hourly fee, as those working for a spa may have a vastly different rate to those in a Doctor’s office. According to data reviewed by Jobs and Skills Victoria over the ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing, there was an average of 42 hours worked per week among massage therapists in Australia, in comparison to the nationwide average across all industries of 44 hours. Median full-time earnings, in this case, have been noted at $1,472, with a demographic split of 77% female employment. 

Just as important to note, we’ve seen that job satisfaction in the space has seen an increase in tandem with the industry’s relative growth, with platforms like Indeed highlighting a 4.4 / 5 rating. Practitioners, in this case, tend to cite schedule flexibility, alignment with personality and work-life balance as key factors; lending a sense of high individualisation to the role, for those who are concerned with malleability with their personal lives.

 

 

Earnings and figures for Massage Therapists

On average, massage therapists earn at a rate of $33.28 per hour, with a low-end of $25.44 to $54.36 at the 90th percentile.

 

As a yearly salary, this encompasses a base of $54,000, sat in a range between $39,000 to $70,000; with this being said, total packages can be seen to reach as high as $109,000.

 

Adding to this, it’s significant to note that the rate of pay skews exponentially, depending on your level of experience; the difference between 10-19 against 20+ years of experience, for instance, can place from $30.74 to $55 per hour, a percentage increase of 78.92% from one stat to the next.

All Image Sources: PayScale

Becoming a Massage Therapist 

The daily requirement of a massage therapist can be quite challenging as it is a very physical occupation that requires strength and stamina. Your certification will allow you to treat clients using advanced massage techniques, manipulating the soft-tissue muscles in the body. A standard day can involve anywhere from three to five clients for anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes. 

As a physical therapist, you will treat a range of injuries which can be inclusive of:

• Chronic pain
• Stress injuries
• Rehabilitation
• Improve relaxation/Reduce stress
• Headaches

 

Locational options for the role

There are many different locations that will be available to you as a massage therapist from spas, assisted-living facilities, and private or corporate offices to hotels, hospitals, fitness centres, and doctor or chiropractic offices. You may even open your own business or work as a mobile therapist, treating clients in their homes.

Your choice of location will often determine the particular type of client you will see. For example, sports injuries may be more common at a gym or fitness centre, and total wellness and relaxation clients will be more frequent at a spa. 

Your working day as a Massage Therapist 

Your daily schedule will often be dependent on the client and the hours of the facility from which you operate. Mobile therapists that travel to client’s homes or offices often see a benefit from a more flexible schedule. You will also be able to work in more diverse settings with an assorted client base.

Some massage therapists choose to work out of their own homes to reduce the expenses associated with a wellness facility or other private office.

Other elements to consider

As with the running of any business, choosing to work for yourself as a Massage Therapist brings the challenge of finding your own clients and relying on their availability for your income. This, as opposed to a facility where you are employed with a salary, can create extra stress in having to find your income. It also provides a little more freedom, so you will need to weigh up, which is more important to you.

You will also need to be aware of the specific circumstances in which massage therapy can worsen a situation for the client. Massage therapy is not always a surefire way to help someone feel better and can sometimes make the condition worse. Examples of this can include acute inflammatory arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, deep vein thrombosis, and unstable and significant hypertension. In these cases, always refer the client to a doctor for a medical examination. 

 

The benefits of becoming a Massage Therapist with ACFB

ACFB maintains small classes to provide one-on-one time and support for all students, offering a combination of theory and practical via various levels of guidance during study. We offer student support services in person or online and provide two training campuses in Ringwood and Mitcham that feature electric massage tables.

Our team of highly qualified and experienced trainers have many years of experience in their fields, and we offer an easy-to-use, interactive eLearning portal which covers:

• All techniques
• Course workbooks
• Notes
• Films 
• PowerPoint presentations
• Assessments And more

Many students seek out the Massage Therapist classes at ACFB as the training from our industry-leading college is well respected throughout the field. 

Become a Massage Therapist with help from ACFB

If you are interested in a career in massage therapy, the Australian College of Fitness & Bodywork (ACFB) can offer an award-winning and nationally-accredited education and training program to get you there.

Our long and accredited history, which began in 1989, includes high-quality assistance for students looking to create career pathways in the health and wellness sectors. The ACFB is a previous winner of the Department of Education’s Victorian Small Training Provider of the Year award and proudly offers a first-rate education to all via our highly qualified and dedicated staff.

The experience we offer in the fitness and education industries teaches current best practice and industry standards led by highly trained and experienced fitness professionals. Call the ACFB for more information on 1300 002 232, and we will discuss your goals and options to lock in the right course for you.