Massage Therapists
SOC code 31-9011 · O*NET-SOC 31-9011.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Massage therapy is licence-gated with program lengths typically between 500 and 1,000 hours, varying by state. Published wages understate total income for self-employed therapists, who set their own rates and keep tips.
Massage Therapists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$58,450
a year
Hourly
$28.10
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$63,830
$30.69 per hour
Middle 50%
$43,480 – $78,320
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$33,640 – $100,200
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
98,790
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $33,640
- $16.17/hr
- 25th percentile
- $43,480
- $20.91/hr
- Median percentile
- $58,450
- $28.10/hr
- 75th percentile
- $78,320
- $37.66/hr
- 90th percentile
- $100,200
- $48.17/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+15%
Growing much faster than average
168,000
jobs in 2024
193,900
projected for 2034
About 25,900 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a massage therapist 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
- Maintain treatment records.
How to become a massage therapist
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a massage therapist earn?
The national median is $58,450 a year. The full range runs from $33,640 at the 10th percentile to $100,200 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a massage therapist without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is massage therapist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 15% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
- Writing2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Biology3.1/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.0/5
- Psychology2.9/5
- Education and Training2.8/5
- Therapy and Counseling2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving.