Massage Therapist in Missouri
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MO
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Missouri
To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Missouri, applicants must complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised classroom and clinical instruction from an accredited school. They must then pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and submit an application with a fee of $125 to the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage. A criminal background check with fingerprinting is also required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Missouri offers reciprocity for licenses from other states with equivalent requirements.
Massage Therapist Requirements in Missouri
| Detail | Missouri |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 500-hour training program |
| Exam | Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265) |
| Application Fee | $125 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 12.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Requires a background check and applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED equivalent. |
Massage Therapist Salary in Missouri
The median massage therapist salary in Missouri is $66,870 per year, which is 15.4% above the national median of $57,950.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,890 |
| 25th | $48,360 |
| 50th (median) | $66,870 |
| 75th | $91,580 |
| 90th (experienced) | $98,540 |
Missouri employs approximately 1,280 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 Missouri Worth It?
Factors to consider: Missouri's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.