Enter the service price before tax. Deposits and fees not included.
Using a Groupon or membership? Tip based on the full price of the massage, not the discounted amount you paid.
Couples massage, split between therapists
Quick reference, common massage totals
| Massage cost | 15% tip | 20% tip ★ | 25% tip | Total (20%) |
|---|
How much should you tip a massage therapist?
Tip 20% for massage. A $90 Swedish is an $18 tip. A $130 deep tissue is $26. Doesn't matter if you're at a day spa, a hotel spa, or a solo therapist.
The most common question is Groupon and memberships. Tip on the full price, not what you paid. Your therapist did the full session either way. Tipping $8 on a $40 voucher when the service is worth $90 is a big underpay for the same hour of work.
For deep tissue, hot stone, prenatal, or any specialized technique, tip 22–25%.
Factors that affect how much to tip
- Chains like Massage Envy pay lower base wages than independent studios. Tips matter more there, not less.
- A Swedish and a 90-minute deep tissue correction are different jobs. Specialized work (deep tissue, sports, prenatal) earns 25%.
- For couples massages, tip each therapist separately. Hand them each their tip directly. Don't leave one amount at the desk and hope it splits evenly.
- Insurance or medical: Medically billed massage (for injury, PT, or clinical treatment) doesn't carry a tip expectation. If you do choose to tip in this context, $10–20 is a thoughtful gesture rather than a standard obligation.
- Session outcome: If a therapist found and worked out a problem area you didn't even mention, addressed a recurring issue effectively, or significantly improved how you feel, that's worth a 25% tip.
Massage tipping etiquette
For couples massages, tip each therapist individually. Leaving $36 for two therapists at the front desk and hoping it gets split evenly is not reliable. Bring two envelopes or hand each therapist $18 directly after the session.
At membership spas (Massage Envy, Hand and Stone), the tip prompt on the terminal may show the full service price. Tip 20% of that amount, not the discounted member rate. The terminal occasionally shows the member price by default; confirm which price you're tipping on if it's unclear.
Tip after every session, including your first visit and any promotional introductory sessions. Many therapists offer discounted first visits to attract new clients, but this doesn't reduce the expectation for a standard tip.