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Massage Therapists

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipLower pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $58,450 Median per year · $28.10/hr Most earn $33,640–$100,200

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
  • Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
  • Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
  • Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients' recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
  • Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
  • Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
15% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 20,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Self-employed (their own business)35.6%
  • Personal care services32.5%
  • Offices of all other health practitioners11.7%
  • Offices of chiropractors7.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 3 to 6 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 3 to 6 monthsEntry-level

Massage therapy is an entry-level career. Most people finish a certificate program or apprenticeship and then build a few months of hands-on experience, so the whole path often takes roughly a year or so after high school, depending on the program.

  1. High school diploma or GED

    4 years

    Finish high school with strong science classes like biology, since they help with understanding muscles and the body.

  2. Massage therapy certificate program or apprenticeship

    Several months to 1 year (varies by program)

    Train in massage techniques, anatomy, and client care, and practice on real people under supervision. Completing training prepares you for the licensing requirements in your area.

  3. Massage Therapist

    About 3-6 months of entry-level experience

    Start working with clients in a spa, clinic, or wellness center, where you build skills and a client base. Typical experience before the job is about 3 to 6 months.

Where it can lead

  1. Physical Therapist Assistant

    Varies; usually after finishing an associate degree of experience first

    You would work under physical therapists to help patients with rehab exercises and treatment plans, which requires more formal schooling than massage training.

  2. Occupational Therapy Assistant

    Varies; usually after finishing an associate degree of experience first

    You would help people build daily living and work skills under an occupational therapist, which adds more education and supervised clinical training.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology and anatomy-related classesLearning how muscles, bones, and joints work gives you a head start on the knowledge massage training builds on.
  • Get CPR and first aid certifiedMany local groups offer these short courses, and they show clients and employers that you can keep people safe.
  • Work a part-time job in a spa, salon, or front deskCustomer service experience helps you learn how to make clients feel comfortable, which matters a lot in this career.
  • Volunteer at a senior center or with athletic teamsHelping people with stretching or comfort care gives you real experience working with different bodies and needs.
  • Practice good communication and listeningMassage therapists ask clients about pain and comfort, so being a clear, caring listener is a useful skill.

In college

  • Take anatomy and physiology coursesThese classes build the body knowledge you'll use in massage training and in planning client care.
  • Get a customer service or spa jobWorking with the public helps you practice professionalism and build comfort with clients.
  • Research massage certificate programsComparing programs now helps you choose one that fits your schedule, budget, and state licensing needs.
  • Volunteer at a campus wellness or health centerMany campuses offer wellness services, and volunteering there shows you how health teams work together.
  • Join a wellness or health-related student clubClubs like these connect you with people interested in health and can lead to shadowing or job leads.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask local massage schools or spas whether they offer a shadowing day or an open house so you can see the work up close.
  • Check your state or local rules for massage licensing early, since requirements can affect which program you choose.
  • Look at the career page on your results to see typical pay near you and nationally, and compare it with the training costs you're considering.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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