Massage Therapist
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Massage Therapist?
Massage Therapists use manual techniques — Swedish, deep tissue, sports, trigger point, and other modalities — to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve circulation. They work in spas, chiropractic offices, physical therapy clinics, hospitals, and private practice. Most states require a license, typically earned by completing a 500–1,000 hour training program and passing the MBLEx exam.
The Landscape
The national landscape for Massage Therapists shows a healthy median salary of $57,950 and a positive projected growth of over 15%, with low exposure to AI disruption. A clear regional trend reveals the Pacific Northwest and select Northeast states as salary leaders, with Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii consistently paying over $80,000. These areas often feature higher costs of living and a strong demand for wellness services, contributing to elevated wages.
Alaska stands out as a dramatic outlier with a median salary of $135,200, more than double many other states, likely driven by extreme cost of living and a specialized market with fewer practitioners. Interestingly, Vermont also commands a high median of $105,490 despite not requiring a state license, suggesting strong local demand can override state-level regulation. For the four states without statewide licensing (VT, MN, KS, WY), this typically means requirements are managed at the municipal level, creating a complex patchwork of local rules rather than complete freedom from regulation.
Beyond salary, the biggest differences lie in licensing hurdles: some states, like New York, require their own specific exams instead of the common MBLEx, while others, such as Nebraska, mandate extensive education hours. Most states include criminal background checks, and several require ongoing CPR certification, adding to the initial and ongoing compliance. These varying requirements mean that moving between states can be more complicated than simply transferring a license, often requiring new applications or additional coursework.
Massage Therapist by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $48,960 | -15.5% | 6-12 months |
| Alaska | Yes | $135,200 | +133.3% | Varies (application processing 3-5 weeks) |
| Arizona | Yes | $59,550 | +2.8% | 6-12 months |
| Arkansas | Yes | $31,280 | -46.0% | Varies (requires 500 hours of training, exam, and background check) |
| California | No | $48,430 | -16.4% | Approximately 90 days |
| Colorado | Yes | $59,560 | +2.8% | 6-12 months |
| Connecticut | Yes | $59,270 | +2.3% | 6-12 months |
| Delaware | Yes | $53,920 | -7.0% | 6-12 months |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $62,220 | +7.4% | 6-12 months |
| Florida | Yes | $49,880 | -13.9% | 9-18 months |
| Georgia | Yes | $56,740 | -2.1% | 6-12 months |
| Hawaii | Yes | $80,590 | +39.1% | 6-12 months |
| Idaho | Yes | $70,470 | +21.6% | 6-12 months |
| Illinois | Yes | $60,640 | +4.6% | Several weeks (after training and exam) |
| Indiana | Yes | $52,740 | -9.0% | 6-12 months |
| Iowa | Yes | $62,400 | +7.7% | 6-12 months |
| Kansas | No | $47,940 | -17.3% | Varies by municipality and individual's pace |
| Kentucky | Yes | $54,890 | -5.3% | 6-12 months |
| Louisiana | Yes | $58,010 | +0.1% | 6-12 months |
| Maine | Yes | $67,420 | +16.3% | 6-12 months |
| Maryland | Yes | $58,390 | +0.8% | 6-24 months |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $59,470 | +2.6% | 6-12 months |
| Michigan | Yes | $54,510 | -5.9% | 6-12 months |
| Minnesota | No | $75,500 | +30.3% | Varies by municipality |
| Mississippi | Yes | $42,510 | -26.6% | Varies (application must be completed within 24 months of initial submission) |
| Missouri | Yes | $66,870 | +15.4% | 6-12 months |
| Montana | Yes | $52,000 | -10.3% | 6-12 months |
| Nebraska | Yes | $55,080 | -5.0% | 9-18 months |
| Nevada | Yes | $52,000 | -10.3% | 1-3 months |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $62,830 | +8.4% | 8-15 months |
| New Jersey | Yes | $56,760 | -2.1% | 6-12 months |
| New Mexico | Yes | $47,660 | -17.8% | 6-12 months |
| New York | Yes | $58,730 | +1.3% | 12-18 months |
| North Carolina | Yes | $61,670 | +6.4% | 6-12 months |
| North Dakota | Yes | $70,720 | +22.0% | Up to 3 months for application processing |
| Ohio | Yes | $50,430 | -13.0% | At least 9 months (for 750-hour programs) |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $48,140 | -16.9% | 6-12 months |
| Oregon | Yes | $82,860 | +43.0% | 6-12 months |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $57,660 | -0.5% | 6-12 months |
| Rhode Island | Yes | — | — | 6-12 months |
| South Carolina | Yes | $62,830 | +8.4% | 6-12 months |
| South Dakota | Yes | $40,780 | -29.6% | up to 6 months |
| Tennessee | Yes | $49,670 | -14.3% | 6-12 months |
| Texas | Yes | $56,540 | -2.4% | 6-12 months for education, plus 4-8 weeks for application and exams |
| Utah | Yes | $61,010 | +5.3% | 6-12 months |
| Vermont | No | $105,490 | +82.0% | Varies (registration is a quick online process once requirements are met) |
| Virginia | Yes | $56,850 | -1.9% | 6-12 months |
| Washington | Yes | $82,820 | +42.9% | 6-12 months |
| West Virginia | Yes | $42,730 | -26.3% | Varies (application processing 10-14 business days) |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $57,530 | -0.7% | 6-12 months |
| Wyoming | Yes | $32,430 | -44.0% | 3-5 weeks for application processing |
Highest-Paying States for Massage Therapists
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $135,200 | 570 |
| 2 | Vermont | $105,490 | 60 |
| 3 | Oregon | $82,860 | 2,280 |
| 4 | Washington | $82,820 | 3,590 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $80,590 | 1,420 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $75,500 | 1,440 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $70,720 | 150 |
| 8 | Idaho | $70,470 | 270 |
| 9 | Maine | $67,420 | 480 |
| 10 | Missouri | $66,870 | 1,280 |
Find a Training Program
Compare massage therapist programs at trade schools across the country — ranked by graduate earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.