How to become a massage therapist
Official title: Massage therapists
Also called: Massage therapist (mt), Thai massage therapist, Registered massage practitioner, Registered massage therapist (rmt), Myotherapist, Massotherapist, Orthotherapist, Masso kinesitherapist
Massage therapists assess soft tissues and joints of the body for treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorders. They work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres and educational institutions.
Main tasks
- Assess clients by conducting range of motion and muscle tests and propose treatment plans
- Explain procedures, risks and benefits to clients
- Administer massage techniques, treating soft tissues and joints of the body through soft tissue manipulation, relaxation techniques, hydrotherapy, trigger point therapy, joint pain and lower grade mobilizations, remedial exercise programs and client self-help programs
- Suggest home care instructions and provide information about techniques for further postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation and rehabilitative exercises
- Maintain records of treatments given
- May consult with other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians and psychologists when developing treatment plans for clients
- Massage therapists may be trained in various specialized massage techniques
How to become one
Massage therapists usually require completion of an 18- to 24-month or 18- to 36-month program in massage therapy from an accredited school and a period of supervised practical training. Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 60% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Somatic bodywork and related therapeutic services; Sports, kinesiology, and physical education/physical fitness; Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities.
- Licence or registration: Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $32,867 a year The middle half earn $16,200 to $44,800.
- About 45,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 57,700 are projected by 2033. (+28.2%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a massage therapist?
Massage therapists usually require completion of an 18- to 24-month or 18- to 36-month program in massage therapy from an accredited school and a period of supervised practical training. Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia.
How much does a massage therapist earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $32,867 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $16,200 to $44,800.
Is a massage therapist a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 28% by 2033, from about 45,000 to about 57,700 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a massage therapist?
Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03