### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Massage Therapists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			massage therapists imageMassage therapists use touch to manipulate a client’s muscles and other soft tissues.							
						Quick Facts:     Massage Therapists2023     Median Pay
            						$55,310     per year
										$26.59     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Postsecondary nondegree awardWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    134,300Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    18% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    24,600What Massage Therapists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Massage therapists treat clients by applying pressure to manipulate the body's soft tissues and joints.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Massage therapists work in an array of settings, such as spas and offices of other health practitioners. Some also travel to local events, clients’ homes, or other sites. Part-time work is common, and work schedules may vary. Many massage therapists are self-employed.
            
                                                How to Become a Massage Therapist
                                                
                        
Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education 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.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for massage therapists was $55,310 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of massage therapists is projected to grow							 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 22,000 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for massage therapists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of massage therapists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        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.
 What Massage Therapists Do 
            

			Massage therapistsMassage therapists knead muscles and other soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for injuries and to promote general wellness.			
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 equipmentMassage 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
			Massage therapistsMassage therapists create an environment intended to make clients feel relaxed.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Massage therapists held about 134,300 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of massage therapists were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                35%Personal care services
                33Offices of all other health practitioners
                12Offices of chiropractors
                7Accommodation
                6Some 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.
 How to Become a Massage Therapist

			Massage therapistsMassage 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, and 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. The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) licensing exam is administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
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.
Important Qualities
***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.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Massage TherapistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Massage therapists$55,310  Total, all occupations$48,060  Other healthcare support occupations$43,330Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for massage therapists was $55,310 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $95,700.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for massage therapists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Offices of chiropractors
                $63,450Offices of all other health practitioners
                58,480Personal care services
                52,000Accommodation
                36,520Part-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 a week.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Massage TherapistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Massage therapists18%  Other healthcare support occupations11%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of massage therapists is projected to grow				 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 22,000 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.
			

                        Employment projections data for     massage therapists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Massage therapists**
			31-9011
			134,300
			158,900
			18
			24,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Massage therapists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of massage therapists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Athletic Trainers**
            Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
            Master's degree
            $57,930**Exercise Physiologists**
            Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs to help people improve their health.
            Bachelor's degree
            $54,860**Physical Therapist Assistants and Aides**
            Physical therapist assistants and aides are supervised by physical therapists to help patients regain movement and manage pain after injuries and illnesses.
            See How to Become One
            $58,740**Physical Therapists**
            Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $99,710
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers in massage therapy, visit
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
American Massage Therapy Association
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
For more information about national testing and national certification, visit
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards
For more information about accredited massage therapy programs, visit
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
CareerOneStop
For a career video on massage therapists, visit
Massage Therapists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Massage Therapists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Massage Therapists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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