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The term “massage therapist” refers to healthcare professionals who are skilled in the art of healing and relieving the pain caused by medical conditions through the administration of muscle massage. Clients often seek massages for medical benefit as well as for purposes of relaxation. To this end, there is a wide variety of massage treatments that cater to the specific needs of the client. This kind of therapy not only helps improve physical health, but also rejuvenates and relaxes the muscles.

There are over 80 different kinds of massage therapies that one can specialize in, including Acupressure, Swedish massage, reflexology, sports massage, deep tissue massage and neuromuscular massage. Massages also vary in duration, lasting anywhere from 5 minutes to two hours.

An aspiring massage therapist needs to complete a formal training before taking up the profession. One also needs to pass a State exam or a national certification examination. Postsecondary schools, college programs and training programs in massage therapy are available. Among the well known institutes offering such courses are:

• Academy of Healing Arts
• Allied Medical & Technical Institute
• Baltimore School of Massage
• Certified Careers Institute
• Daytona College
• Florida College of Natural Health
• IntelliTec Medical Institute
• Medical Careers Institute
• National Massage Therapy Institute
• Utah College of Massage Therapy

These colleges and universities generally offer associate’s degrees, diplomas, or certificate programs in massage therapy. After completing this course, one can opt for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. This national credential can be renewed every 4 years, and in order to maintain the certification, a massage therapist is required to perform at least 200 hours of massage time over these 4 years.

In addition to the qualifications, a massage therapist also needs to have good communication skills. Since this profession involves creating a strong client base and fostering interpersonal relations, a friendly, empathetic nature can be very helpful. One should also have the ability to make their clients feel comfortable.

The working conditions of a massage therapist depends largely on the practice’s setting. One may be employed in private offices, hospitals, nursing homes, studios, sports medicine facilities, fitness centers, airports and even shopping malls. A massage therapist may also be required to travel to the client’s home. Under such circumstances, working conditions may vary widely. In general, massage therapists work 15 to 40 hours a week. Due to the physical nature of the work, massage therapists are often prone to injury if proper techniques are not used.

According to research conducted in 2006, massage therapists held about 118,000 jobs in the US. The industries employing the maximum number of massage therapists are:

• Offices of Other Health Practitioners
• Offices of Physicians
• Other Amusement and Recreation Industries
• Personal Care Services
• Traveler Accommodation

The mean hourly wages of massage therapists are $19.39, while the annual salary is around $40,330. A majority of massage therapists are self-employed. Employment in this sector is expected to increase by 20% in the next 10 years.

Job Numbers and Growth

Massage therapy providers in the US number about 118,000. Workers generally expect a very low unemployment rate. There were about 1% of employees without jobs in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Where are jobs most numerous? Napa (California), Olympia (Washington), and Ithaca (New York). Least common? Little Rock (Arkansas), Louisville (Kentucky), and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania).

Salaries vary across the country, from highest in Anchorage (Alaska), Bremerton (Washington), and Olympia (Washington) to lowest in Dayton (Ohio), New Orleans (Louisiana), and Reno (Nevada).

Training and Education

Obtaining a postsecondary vocational award will help job seekers. Massage therapy providers with four or more years of college are 32% of the total. An estimated 49% of workers attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 19% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Whether by choice or necessity, 43% of massage therapy providers work part-time. About 64% of workers do not work for a company or organization.

Massage Therapy Providers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin