Best States for Massage Therapists to Start a Home Business
We ranked all 51 states based on licensing requirements, earning potential, LLC costs, and tax burden. Here are the best (and worst) states for massage therapists.
6 states don't require a license · National median: N/A · Updated 2025
▲ Top 5 Best States
Full Ranking: All 51 States
| # | State | License | Fee | Median Wage | LLC Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | No | — | $23.28/hr | $70 | 94 |
| 2 | Indiana | No | — | $25.36/hr | $100 | 94 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | No | — | $23.15/hr | $100 | 94 |
| 4 | Kansas | No | — | $23.05/hr | $165 | 90 |
| 5 | Minnesota | No | — | $36.30/hr | $155 | 90 |
| 6 | Wyoming | No | — | $15.59/hr | $102 | 83 |
| 7 | Michigan | Yes | $297 | $26.21/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 8 | New Mexico | Yes | $275 | $22.91/hr | $50 | 78 |
| 9 | Vermont | Yes | $75 | $50.72/hr | $125 | 75 |
| 10 | Hawaii | Yes | $245 | $38.75/hr | $51 | 74 |
| 11 | Utah | Yes | $255 | $29.33/hr | $54 | 74 |
| 12 | Arizona | Yes | $412 | $28.63/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 13 | Colorado | Yes | $395 | $28.64/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 14 | Iowa | Yes | $315 | $30.00/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 15 | Kentucky | Yes | $370 | $26.39/hr | $40 | 73 |
| 16 | Mississippi | Yes | $445 | $20.44/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 17 | Missouri | Yes | $363 | $32.15/hr | $50 | 73 |
| 18 | Montana | Yes | $335 | $25.00/hr | $35 | 73 |
| 19 | Maine | Yes | $256 | $32.42/hr | $175 | 70 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | Yes | $295 | $27.72/hr | $125 | 70 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | Yes | $270 | $27.66/hr | $130 | 70 |
| 22 | Georgia | Yes | $320 | $27.28/hr | $100 | 69 |
| 23 | Idaho | Yes | $310 | $33.88/hr | $100 | 69 |
| 24 | Louisiana | Yes | $431 | $27.89/hr | $100 | 69 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | Yes | $305 | $30.21/hr | $100 | 69 |
| 26 | Ohio | Yes | $391 | $24.24/hr | $99 | 69 |
| 27 | Oregon | Yes | $336 | $39.84/hr | $100 | 69 |
| 28 | Virginia | Yes | $335 | $27.33/hr | $100 | 69 |
| 29 | Alabama | Yes | $345 | $23.54/hr | $200 | 65 |
| 30 | Delaware | Yes | $344 | $25.92/hr | $110 | 65 |
| 31 | Florida | Yes | $350 | $23.98/hr | $125 | 65 |
| 32 | Illinois | Yes | $370 | $29.15/hr | $150 | 65 |
| 33 | Nebraska | Yes | $305 | $26.48/hr | $110 | 65 |
| 34 | New Jersey | Yes | $195 | $27.29/hr | $125 | 65 |
| 35 | New York | Yes | $303 | $28.23/hr | $200 | 65 |
| 36 | North Carolina | Yes | $345 | $29.65/hr | $125 | 65 |
| 37 | North Dakota | Yes | $345 | $34.00/hr | $135 | 65 |
| 38 | South Carolina | Yes | $345 | $30.21/hr | $110 | 65 |
| 39 | South Dakota | Yes | $360 | $19.61/hr | $150 | 65 |
| 40 | Texas | Yes | $295 | $27.19/hr | $300 | 65 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | Yes | $457 | $29.92/hr | $99 | 64 |
| 42 | Maryland | Yes | $745 | $28.07/hr | $100 | 64 |
| 43 | West Virginia | Yes | $545 | $20.54/hr | $100 | 64 |
| 44 | Arkansas | Yes | $375 | $15.04/hr | $50 | 61 |
| 45 | Alaska | Yes | $745 | $65.00/hr | $250 | 60 |
| 46 | Massachusetts | Yes | $345 | $28.59/hr | $500 | 60 |
| 47 | Washington | Yes | $421 | $39.82/hr | $200 | 60 |
| 48 | Connecticut | Yes | $574 | $28.50/hr | $120 | 55 |
| 49 | Nevada | Yes | $675 | $25.00/hr | $425 | 55 |
| 50 | Rhode Island | Yes | $295 | — | $150 | 55 |
| 51 | Tennessee | Yes | $510 | $23.88/hr | $300 | 55 |
▼ 5 Most Challenging States
Tennessee
Fee: $510$23.88/hr55
Rhode Island
Fee: $29555
Nevada
Fee: $675$25.00/hr55
Connecticut
Fee: $574$28.50/hr55
Washington
Fee: $421$39.82/hr60
How We Scored Each State
Each state starts with a base score of 50, then we add or subtract points based on:
- No license required: +20 points (biggest single factor — lower barriers to entry)
- License fee: −10 for fees over $500, −5 for over $300, +10 for under $50
- Wages above national median: Up to +15 points for states paying 20%+ above national median
- LLC formation cost: +8 for states under $50, −5 for states over $300
- No sales tax on services: +5 points
Data sources: Institute for Justice License to Work 3 (licensing), BLS OEWS May 2024 (wages), state Secretary of State offices (LLC costs). This ranking reflects factors relevant to home-based operators — commercial location costs, local zoning, and cost of living are not included.
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