Massage Therapist salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A massage therapist in California earns a median of $45,970 a year ($22.10/hour equivalent), 21.4% below the national median of $58,450. California ranks #45 of 50 states. About 14,600 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $37,698 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $1,450 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,768.08
- Federal income tax
- −$128.32
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$109.62
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$25.64
- California income tax
- −$31.60
- CA SDI
- −$22.99
- Take-home pay
- $1,449.92
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $45,970
- Federal
- $3,336
- FICA
- $3,517
- State + local
- $1,419
- Net
- $37,698
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska | $134,930 |
| #2 | Washington | $87,360 |
| #3 | Oregon | $86,970 |
| #4 | Hawaii | $81,280 |
| #5 | New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| #45 | California | $45,970 |
| #48 | New Mexico | $37,840 |
| #49 | Oklahoma | $36,630 |
| #50 | Louisiana | $36,480 |
See the national massage therapist salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Massage Therapists (SOC 31-9011), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in California?
The median salary is $45,970 a year and the average is $55,630 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for massage therapists?
California ranks #45 of 50 states for median pay in this job, 21% below the national median of $58,450.
What is $45,970 after taxes in California?
About $37,698 a year ($1,450 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.