Massage Therapists

Massage Therapists

Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.

Salary by State

State Name Employment Annual Salary Hourly Salary
Alabama 600 $30,750 $14.78
Alaska 370 $100,080 $48.11
Arizona 2,540 $46,110 $22.17
Arkansas 310 $39,570 $19.02
California 9,880 $53,950 $25.94
Colorado 4,420 $49,170 $23.64
Connecticut 950 $62,200 $29.90
Delaware 150 $44,600 $21.44
District of Columbia $52,020 $25.01
Florida 7,070 $44,690 $21.49
Georgia 1,880 $40,080 $19.27
Hawaii 810 $58,910 $28.32
Idaho 390 $56,770 $27.29
Illinois 3,360 $55,460 $26.66
Indiana 1,170 $52,410 $25.20
Iowa 600 $44,990 $21.63
Kansas 400 $43,660 $20.99
Kentucky 620 $51,980 $24.99
Louisiana 430 $36,090 $17.35
Maine 230 $47,130 $22.66
Maryland 840 $62,030 $29.82
Massachusetts 2,000 $60,910 $29.28
Michigan 1,700 $60,090 $28.89
Minnesota 1,230 $49,530 $23.81
Mississippi 270 $41,500 $19.95
Missouri 1,170 $39,680 $19.08
Montana 160 $52,930 $25.45
Nebraska 390 $51,740 $24.87
Nevada 1,710 $36,120 $17.37
New Hampshire 240 $50,540 $24.30
New Jersey 3,070 $45,650 $21.95
New Mexico 400 $46,130 $22.18
New York 3,840 $52,660 $25.32
North Carolina 1,960 $46,810 $22.51
North Dakota 90 $61,280 $29.46
Ohio 2,000 $47,140 $22.66
Oklahoma 380 $44,000 $21.15
Oregon 1,410 $65,580 $31.53
Pennsylvania 2,140 $47,860 $23.01
Rhode Island 130 $29,210 $14.04
South Carolina 1,610 $35,030 $16.84
South Dakota 150 $37,620 $18.09
Tennessee 1,880 $43,080 $20.71
Texas 8,510 $43,970 $21.14
Utah 1,080 $43,480 $20.90
Vermont 50 $51,200 $24.62
Virginia 1,920 $48,190 $23.17
Washington 2,660 $66,040 $31.75
West Virginia 190 $45,730 $21.99
Wisconsin 1,370 $40,090 $19.27
Wyoming 80 $46,630 $22.42

Education

The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.

A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being to clients through the application of manual techniques for manipulating skin, muscles, and connective tissues. Includes instruction in Western (Swedish) massage, sports massage, myotherapy/trigger point massage, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, cranio-sacral therapy, reflexology, massage safety and emergency management, client counseling, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.

Certificate
Certificate
Certificate
Certificate
Associate Degree

A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being based on Chinese medical principles through one or more of the traditional bodywork therapies of Asia. Includes instruction in acupressure, AMMA(r) Therapy, Chi Nei Tsang, Five Element Shiatsu, Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu, Japanese Shiatsu, Jin Shin Do(r) Bodymind Acupressure(tm), Macrobiotic Shiatsu, Anma Therapy, Thai massage, Tui na, Zen Shiatsu, Qigong, Okazaki(r) Restorative Massage, principles of Western and Chinese medicine, patient counseling and observation, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.

Certificate Associate Degree
Associate Degree
Certificate

A program that prepares individuals to promote physical and emotional balance and well-being through the application of skilled touch principles and techniques. Includes instruction in therapeutic massage and other hands-on touch methods, anatomy and physiology, structural/functional integration and various holistic health systems (Rolfing/Structural Integration, colon hydrotherapy, Breema, Hellerwork, lymphatic drainage, Rosen Method, hydrotherapy, and others), client counseling, practice management, and applicable regulations and professional standards.

Certificate Associate Degree
Associate Degree
Certificate

Any instructional program in somatic bodywork and related therapeutic services not listed above.

Certificate
Certificate
  • $49,260 per year
    National average salary
    Very High
    Job growth rate
  • Postsecondary nondegree award
    Typical education requirement

Educational Attainment

The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as massage therapists.

  • Less than high school 3%
  • High school graduate 21%
  • College dropout 33%
  • Associate’s degree 18%
  • Bachelor’s degree 19%
  • Master’s degree 3%
  • Doctorate degree 2%

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