To become a massage therapist in the US, you complete a postsecondary massage therapy program and then get a state licence or registration, which usually means passing an exam. Most states regulate massage therapy, and requirements vary, so your state board sets the exact hours and test you'll need.
Programs can take anywhere from several months to a couple of years. The training is the easy part to plan. Choosing where you work is what decides your pay.
The facts below come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for massage therapists, read on 26 October 2026. It's a careers guide about training, licensing and pay, not health advice.
Massage therapist pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $58,450 a year, $28.10 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $33,640 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $100,200 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 155,400 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 15%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 20,400 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
The route in, step by step
- Finish high school or an equivalent. Most programs ask for at least that.
- Choose a massage therapy program at a private school, community college or other public institution. A diploma or certificate takes several months to years, depending on the program.
- Study the core subjects: anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology, plus business and ethics, alongside hands-on practice.
- Pass the exam your state requires and apply for a licence or registration.
- Meet the extras your state asks for. BLS lists background checks, liability insurance and CPR certification as possible requirements.
- Keep your licence current with continuing education credits, which many states require for renewal.
The pay gap most people don't see coming
Where you work changes your pay more than almost anything else. The best and worst paying of the top industries BLS lists are far apart.
| Industry | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Offices of chiropractors | $72,800 |
| Offices of all other health practitioners | $65,350 |
| Personal care services | $56,230 |
| Accommodation | $43,840 |
So a therapist in a chiropractor's office earned a median of $72,800 against $43,840 in hotels and other accommodation, as of October 2026. If you want the higher end, clinical settings beat spas and hotels on these numbers.
Many massage therapists work for themselves
Self-employed workers make up 36 in every 100 massage therapists, the biggest single group. Some travel to clients' homes or events, some work from their own homes, and the self-employed often bring their own table, sheets and oils.
If you go that way, you're running a small business from day one. Our guide to massage therapy software covers booking and client notes, and spa software is worth a look if you plan to join or open a larger studio.
Why full-time hours look different here
Part-time work is common. BLS says that because of the strength and endurance a massage takes, many therapists can't give massages 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Hours vary with appointments, so income can vary too.
That's worth building into your plans. A full diary might still mean fewer hands-on hours than a typical office job, so your rate and your mix of clients matter. Good technique matters too: BLS says repetitive motion problems and fatigue from standing are the most common injuries, and therapists limit them with good body mechanics and spacing sessions.
Choosing a program
Programs aren't all the same length or focus, so it's worth comparing a few before you sign up. Start with your state's licensing board: it's the board that decides which programs count toward a licence, so check that any school you're considering is approved there. Then compare how much hands-on practice each program includes, because that's what you'll lean on in your first jobs.
Ask each school how many hours its program covers and whether it prepares you for the exam your state uses. Private schools, community colleges and other public institutions all run programs, so compare what each one includes, and what it costs you, before you decide.
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How long it takes, start to finish
You'll finish high school or an equivalent first. Then the program itself takes several months to years, depending on where you study. After that, you'll sit your state's exam, pass any background check and get your licence. If your state asks for liability insurance or CPR certification, you'll sort those out before you start work too.
Specialising
Some programs focus on particular modalities, such as sports, rehabilitative or oncology massage. A specialty can help you stand out, and it often points you toward the clinical settings where BLS shows higher medians.
My verdict
Massage therapy is a quick route into a growing field: a program measured in months, a state exam and a licence. BLS expects 15% growth and about 20,400 openings a year. Just go in clear-eyed about hours. Most therapists can't do full eight-hour days of hands-on work, so the setting you choose, and whether you work for yourself, decides how much you take home. If you want the best odds on pay, aim for a clinical setting such as a chiropractor's office, where BLS shows the highest median of the top industries it lists, and build a specialty you can be known for.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a massage therapist?
Depending on the program, a diploma or certificate takes several months to years, followed by your state's exam and licence.
Do you need a licence to be a massage therapist?
In most states, yes. BLS says most states regulate massage therapy and require a licence or certification, usually after an approved program and an exam.
How much do massage therapists make?
BLS reports a median of $58,450 a year in May 2025, as of October 2026. Offices of chiropractors had a higher median, at $72,800.
Can massage therapists be self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed workers are the largest group, at 36 in every 100 massage therapists, according to BLS.
Why do so many massage therapists work part time?
BLS says the strength and endurance needed mean many therapists can't give massages 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and schedules depend on appointments.
Is massage therapy a growing career?
BLS projects 15% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 20,400 openings a year.
