Other Healthcare Support Occupations

How to become a Massage Therapist

Official title: Massage Therapists

Also called: BCMT (Board Certified Massage Therapist), Bodywork Therapist, Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Clinical Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP), Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Medical Massage Practitioner, MMT (Medical Massage Therapist), Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), Soft Tissue Specialist

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.

Main tasks

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 one

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.

Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Certified Massage Therapist (Cmt).
Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage; Asian Bodywork Therapy; Somatic Bodywork
Licence: A licence is required in 43 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $58,450 a year The middle half earn $43,480 to $78,320.
About 155,400 people work in this job now, and about 179,100 are projected by 2035. (+15.3%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Massage Therapist?

How much does a Massage Therapist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $58,450 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $43,480 to $78,320.

Is a Massage Therapist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 15% by 2035, from about 155,400 to about 179,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Massage Therapist?

Not always. 26% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award; Certified Massage Therapist (Cmt).

Will AI change the work of a Massage Therapist?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.