Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Massage Therapist Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary
Education
program that combines study and experience. Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education program that combines study and experience, although standards and requirements vary by state. Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to have a license or certification. Education Massage therapy education programs are typically in private, independent schools or in community colleges or other public postsecondary institutions. Depending on the program, earning a diploma or certificate requires several months or years to complete. Applicants to massage therapy programs typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. The curriculum generally includes both classroom study and hands-on practice of massage techniques. Required coursework includes sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology, as well as subjects such as business and ethics. Some programs concentrate on certain modalities, or specialties, such as sports, rehabilitative, or oncology massage.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Massage therapists typically need a state-issued license or must register with the state. Requirements vary but typically include graduation from an approved massage therapy program and passing an exam. Other requirements for massage therapists may include passing a background check, having liability insurance, and being certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Many states require massage therapists to complete continuing education credits and to renew their license periodically. For more information, contact the licensing board for the state in which you intend to practice. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 20,400 openings for massage therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Continued growth in the demand for massage services will lead to new jobs for massage therapists. Not only does massage help relieve stress and increase relaxation, but it is also becoming more accepted as a natural and safe treatment method for managing pain. Demand for massage therapists is expected to increase as more people look to massage to maintain overall health and well-being. Massage Therapists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Massage therapists 15% Other healthcare support occupations 10% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Massage Therapists Do
Massage therapists treat clients by applying pressure to manipulate the body's soft tissues and joints. This treatment may help to relieve pain, heal injuries, relieve stress, and aid in the general wellness of clients.
Duties
Massage therapists typically do the following:
- Talk with clients about their symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals
- Evaluate clients prior to and during the massage to locate painful or tense areas of the body
- Manipulate muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues of the body
- Increase range of motion through joint mobilization techniques
- Provide guidance on stretching, strengthening, overall relaxation, and improving their posture
- Document clients’ conditions and progress
- Clean their workspace and sanitize equipment
Massage therapists manipulate clients’ soft tissues and joints to treat injuries and promote general wellness. They may use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and feet as tools during the session.
Massage therapists may use lotions and oils and massage tables or chairs when treating a client. The length of a session varies based on type of massage. For example, a chair massage may be as short as 5 to 10 minutes, whereas a table massage typically lasts between 30 and 90 minutes.
Massage therapists talk with clients about what the desired outcome of massage. They may suggest personalized treatment plans for the client, including information about additional relaxation techniques to practice between sessions.
Massage therapists may specialize in different massage modalities, or specialties, such as Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, and sports massage. Massage therapists may specialize in several modalities.
The type of massage given typically depends on the client’s needs and physical condition. Different populations, such as athletes or pregnant women, require different techniques for their massages.
In addition to giving massages, therapists, especially those who are self-employed, may spend time recording notes on clients, marketing, booking clients, and conducting other business tasks.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Massage therapists held about 155,400 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of massage therapists were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 36% |
| Personal care services | 33 |
| Offices of all other health practitioners | 12 |
| Offices of chiropractors | 7 |
| Accommodation | 6 |
Some massage therapists travel to local events, clients’ homes or other sites. Others work out of their own homes. Massage therapists, especially those who are self-employed, may provide their own table or chair, sheets, pillows, and body lotions or oils.
Massage therapists’ working conditions vary. For example, some therapists provide relaxing massages in dimly lit settings and use candles, incense, and soothing music. Others offer rehabilitative massages in brightly lit clinical settings or at outdoor events.
Injuries and Illnesses
Because giving massages is physically demanding, massage therapists may injure themselves if they do not use proper technique. Repetitive-motion problems and fatigue from standing for extended periods are most common.
Therapists can limit these risks by using good body mechanics, spacing sessions properly, exercising, and receiving a massage regularly themselves.
Work Schedules
Part-time work is common for massage therapists. Because therapists usually work by appointment, their schedules and the number of hours worked each week vary considerably. Moreover, because of the strength and endurance needed to give a massage, many therapists cannot perform massage services 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Massage therapists must listen carefully and convey information clearly in order to ensure that clients achieve desired results through massage sessions. Decision-making skills. Massage therapists must evaluate each client’s needs and recommend the best treatment based on that person’s needs. Empathy. Massage therapists often treat clients who are in pain. They must be compassionate and sympathetic to their clients' problems and needs. Integrity. Massage therapists often have access to clients’ medical histories and other privacy information. Therefore, they must be trustworthy and protect client confidentiality. Interpersonal skills. Massage therapists must give clients a positive experience. Building trust and making clients feel comfortable are necessary for therapists to expand their client base. Physical stamina. Massage therapists may give several treatments during a workday and must be able to stand throughout massage appointments. Physical strength and dexterity. Massage therapists must be strong and able to exert pressure through a variety of movements when manipulating a client’s muscles. Time-management skills. Massage therapists must be effective in using the time allocated for appointments to help each client accomplish his or her goals.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about massage therapists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.