FAQs

The average base salary for a professional massage therapist is $43,000 a year, usually working part-time.  The top 10% of earners make nearly $70,000.  However, many practitioners rely heavily on tips – some of which go unreported.  So the true average is probably higher.

In addition, professional masseuses in densely populated urban centers typically make more than their suburban and rural counterparts.  For more information on massage salaries and statistics, click here.

How quickly you complete your massage degree ultimately depends on the type of certification you choose.  But most programs last at least 500 hours spread over several months to 2 years.  There are accelerated massage training programs that can be completed in 3 to 6 months.

Use this form to search for schools in your area.

If you complete a degree from an accredited program and satisfy all local and state licensing requirements, your job prospects should be quite good.

According to the US Department of Labor, new positions for professional massage therapists will grow by 20% from 2010 to 2020, compared to only 14% for most other occupational fields.  For more information on massage therapy employment statistics, click here.

Yes. Most states and the District of Columbia require that massage therapists be licensed.  As a medical care professional, it’s important that you understand all of the safety aspects of this healing art.

Although there are a handful of states that don’t have licensing requirements, your job prospects and ability to find new clients improve substantially through certification.  For a list of regulatory requirements by state, click here.

Yes.  It is possible to learn massage therapy online.  Many students prefer this option due to the flexibility and convenience that Internet-based distance learning offers.  However, there are certain limitations to online learning (see the next FAQ to learn more).

Good question.  Obviously, learning anything online offers numerous advantages.  You study at your own pace, there’s no commute, and the prices are sometimes cheaper.  But for a discipline like massage therapy, these advantages don’t necessarily outweigh the downsides.

When studying online, you don’t receive the hands on feedback that you would in a campus program.  For purely academic disciplines, this isn’t so bad.  But for massage therapy, in-person instruction is a crucial component of the learning process.

In addition, very few online programs are 100% online.  You’ll still need to take in-person exams periodically so that the school can access your progress.  Once you factor in travel and accommodation, any cost advantages of online learning quickly disappear.

We only recommend online learning for those who simply want to explore massage as a potential career.  Online programs are ideal for just getting your feet wet.  But if you’re serious about launching a professional career in massage therapy, it’s best to go with an accredited campus program.

To find massage schools in your area, click here.

While a handful of states have no formal certification requirements, the majority of states and territories do.  For a complete list, click here.

Because every student has slightly different educational needs and professional goals, it is difficult to recommend a “best” program.  However, you can use this free search form to connect with accredited massage programs in your area.