Massage Therapists vs. Nursing Assistants: Who Earns More?
Massage Therapistss out-earn Nursing Assistantss by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Massage Therapistss land at $58,450 and Nursing Assistantss at $42,260. The education gap is real: massage therapist programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while nursing assistant programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Massage Therapistss is Alaska ($134,930); for Nursing Assistantss it's Oregon ($49,830).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Massage Therapists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Massage Therapistss or Nursing Assistantss?
Massage Therapistss earn more nationally. The median is $58,450 for Massage Therapistss versus $42,260 for Nursing Assistantss, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Massage Therapists or Nursing Assistants?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Massage Therapists or Nursing Assistants?
Massage Therapists typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Nursing Assistants requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Massage Therapistss get paid the most?
Alaska is the top-paying state for Massage Therapistss at $134,930/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Massage Therapists vs. Nursing Assistants pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Massage Therapistss earn $134,930 vs. $46,370 for Nursing Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.