Massage Therapists vs. Nursing Assistants: Who Earns More?
Massage Therapists out-earn Nursing Assistants by $16K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Massage Therapists land at $58,450 and Nursing Assistants 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 Therapists is Alaska ($134,930); for Nursing Assistants 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 Therapists or Nursing Assistants?
Massage Therapists earn more nationally. The median is $58,450 for Massage Therapists versus $42,260 for Nursing Assistants, a difference of $16K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Massage Therapists or Nursing Assistants?
Massage Therapists has the better 10-year outlook at 15.4% projected growth, compared to 2.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Therapists get paid the most?
Alaska is the top-paying state for Massage Therapists 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 Therapists earn $134,930 vs. $46,370 for Nursing Assistants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.