Massage Therapists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $56,790 -2% vs national
Median hourly $27.30
10th percentile $34,160
90th percentile $110,480
Employed locally 100
National median $57,950

Compare Massage Therapists salary & buying power

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Massage Therapists
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,160
    25th
    $35,540
    50th (median)
    $56,790
    75th
    $90,980
    90th
    $110,480

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Massage Therapists salary vs area income 52% Median Massage Therapists salary is 48% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Massage Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $135,630
    Alaska $135,200
    Fairbanks-College, AK $130,590
    Vermont $105,490
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $96,950
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $96,820

    Nearby metros — Massage Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Chico, CA $84,840
    Ithaca, NY $80,340
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $80,130
    South Carolina $62,830
    Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $61,690
    North Carolina $61,670

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $33,460
    Medical Assistants $49,070
    Dental Assistants $50,050
    Nursing Assistants $46,730
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $45,560
    Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $49,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Massage Therapists make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Massage Therapists in Santa Cruz, CA is $27.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.67 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Massage Therapists salaries?

    The median Massage Therapists salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 2% below the national median of $57,950. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Massage Therapists in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Massage Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $34,160 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,540.