Massage Therapist in Illinois
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for IL
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Illinois
To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Illinois, individuals must complete a minimum of 600 hours of supervised training from an IDFPR-approved massage therapy program. After completing the education, applicants must pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and submit an online application with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). A criminal background check with fingerprinting is also required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Illinois offers licensure by endorsement for those licensed in other states with equivalent requirements.
Massage Therapist Requirements in Illinois
| Detail | Illinois |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Minimum of 600 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction from an approved program. |
| Exam | Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265) |
| Application Fee | $175 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18. Requires fingerprinting for a criminal background check. As of January 2024, 2 hours of ethics training, 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training, and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness are required for CE. The domestic violence and sexual assault awareness CE will be required starting with the 2026 renewal. |
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Massage Therapist Salary in Illinois
The median massage therapist salary in Illinois is $60,640 per year, which is 4.6% above the national median of $57,950.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $30,000 |
| 25th | $46,450 |
| 50th (median) | $60,640 |
| 75th | $72,260 |
| 90th (experienced) | $97,360 |
Illinois employs approximately 4,600 massage therapists.
Massage Therapist Job Outlook
AI Impact on Massage Therapists
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.41/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Massage Therapist in Illinois Worth It?
Factors to consider: Illinois's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.