Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Massage therapists work in a field that combines hands-on physical skills with strong people-focused abilities. Nationally, there are 168,000 massage therapists, and the role is supported by a projected employment growth rate of 15.4%. With an estimated 25,000 annual openings, this career offers a notable volume of opportunities for entry and advancement. The national median annual salary of $57,950 places massage therapy in a pay range that can support full-time work, with some locations offering higher or lower typical wages. Success in this career draws on physical strength and stamina, interpersonal skills, customer service, and fine motor skills, along with problem solving, adaptability, and creativity. The typical education requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, which can appeal to those who want a professional path that does not require a traditional four-year degree. Overall, massage therapy presents a balanced mix of skill-based work, education that is focused but shorter in duration, and growing employment opportunities.
Massage therapists earn a national median annual salary of $57,950, but pay can vary considerably by state and metro area. Among top states by opportunity score, Washington shows the highest listed median salary at $87,360, followed by Massachusetts at $63,390, New York at $62,630, and Colorado at $61,060. California’s median of $45,970 is lower than these states, even though it has higher employment. At the metro level, the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area stands out with a median salary of $75,160, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV shows $65,220. Other highlighted metros, such as New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, list median salaries slightly above $50,000, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $40,280. This range suggests that geographic choice can significantly influence earning potential for massage therapists.
The employment outlook for massage therapists is strong based on the supplied figures. National employment is 168,000, and employment is projected to grow by 15.4%. This same 15.4% growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a consistently positive projection in multiple regions. With 25,000 annual openings, the occupation should offer a steady flow of opportunities for new entrants, career changers, and experienced practitioners seeking new roles. The combination of a sizable current workforce and notable projected growth suggests both an established profession and room for additional workers. For individuals evaluating long-term prospects, the alignment of national and regional growth projections may be especially important, as it shows similar expectations across different labor markets. Overall, the outlook figures indicate a growing field with many openings each year.
Location can shape both opportunity and pay for massage therapists. Among states with high CareerGPS opportunity scores, California ranks highest at 67.38, with substantial employment of 14,600 and a median salary of $45,970. Massachusetts and New York have slightly lower opportunity scores (65.87 and 65.78) but higher median salaries of $63,390 and $62,630, with smaller employment counts of 2,830 and 4,500. Colorado and Washington both show mid-50s opportunity scores; Washington combines a median salary of $87,360 with employment of 3,740. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores (77.42 and 77.27), though their median salaries are just over $50,000. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offer higher median salaries, at $75,160 and $65,220, with moderate employment levels. These patterns highlight tradeoffs among salary, opportunity score, and job concentration across regions.
Massage therapists typically need a postsecondary nondegree award, which offers a focused path into the field without a four-year college requirement. This education route supports learning the core competencies needed for practice while allowing individuals to enter the workforce relatively quickly. Beyond formal education, the skill profile for massage therapists is broad. Physical strength and stamina are crucial, as is fine motor ability. Interpersonal and customer service skills support effective client interactions. Science knowledge can contribute to understanding the body and related concepts, while problem solving, decision making, and adaptability help respond to varied client needs and situations. Creativity and innovation may shape how services are delivered, and project management supports organizing work and schedules. Writing and reading skills can be important for documenting sessions, following guidelines, and communicating clearly. Together, the required education and skills form a blend of technical, physical, and people-centered capabilities.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
