Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Massage Therapist's pay go, state by state?
A Massage Therapist's pay leaves the most room in Vermont — about $6,150/mo take-home against $1,207/mo typical rent — and the least in California.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $6,150/mo | $1,207/mo | 20% |
| Alaska | $5,774/mo | $1,361/mo | 24% |
| Oregon | $5,341/mo | $1,431/mo | 27% |
| Washington | $5,181/mo | $1,641/mo | 32% |
| Idaho | $4,482/mo | $1,163/mo | 26% |
| New Hampshire | $4,742/mo | $1,424/mo | 30% |
| Kentucky | $4,146/mo | $918/mo | 22% |
| Iowa | $4,099/mo | $932/mo | 23% |
| Louisiana | $4,087/mo | $1,028/mo | 25% |
| New Mexico | $4,061/mo | $1,034/mo | 25% |
| Michigan | $4,027/mo | $1,072/mo | 27% |
| Nebraska | $3,894/mo | $1,017/mo | 26% |
| North Carolina | $4,002/mo | $1,147/mo | 29% |
| Minnesota | $4,080/mo | $1,230/mo | 30% |
| Montana | $3,861/mo | $1,031/mo | 27% |
| Indiana | $3,790/mo | $1,022/mo | 27% |
| Illinois | $3,944/mo | $1,246/mo | 32% |
| Wisconsin | $3,637/mo | $1,033/mo | 28% |
| North Dakota | $3,474/mo | $911/mo | 26% |
| Arizona | $3,957/mo | $1,419/mo | 36% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,691/mo | $1,176/mo | 32% |
| Utah | $3,886/mo | $1,396/mo | 36% |
| Georgia | $3,777/mo | $1,320/mo | 35% |
| Missouri | $3,430/mo | $997/mo | 29% |
| Connecticut | $3,893/mo | $1,483/mo | 38% |
| Rhode Island | $3,650/mo | $1,289/mo | 35% |
| Ohio | $3,322/mo | $986/mo | 30% |
| Maine | $3,380/mo | $1,104/mo | 33% |
| Massachusetts | $3,983/mo | $1,716/mo | 43% |
| South Dakota | $3,025/mo | $910/mo | 30% |
| Tennessee | $3,216/mo | $1,111/mo | 35% |
| Kansas | $3,128/mo | $1,025/mo | 33% |
| Maryland | $3,702/mo | $1,683/mo | 45% |
| New Jersey | $3,665/mo | $1,656/mo | 45% |
| District of Columbia | $3,894/mo | $1,900/mo | 49% |
| Colorado | $3,647/mo | $1,659/mo | 45% |
| South Carolina | $3,097/mo | $1,131/mo | 37% |
| Texas | $3,221/mo | $1,328/mo | 41% |
| Virginia | $3,382/mo | $1,547/mo | 46% |
| Alabama | $2,725/mo | $967/mo | 35% |
| Oklahoma | $2,704/mo | $970/mo | 36% |
| Mississippi | $2,599/mo | $933/mo | 36% |
| New York | $3,264/mo | $1,621/mo | 50% |
| Florida | $3,181/mo | $1,542/mo | 48% |
| Arkansas | $2,475/mo | $903/mo | 36% |
| Nevada | $2,907/mo | $1,478/mo | 51% |
| West Virginia | $2,020/mo | $848/mo | 42% |
| California | $2,951/mo | $1,969/mo | 67% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.