Massage Therapist in Oregon

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for OR

Median Salary
$82,860
Oregon (2024)
National Median
$57,950
All states
License Fees
$400
Exam + application
Time to Complete
6-12 months
From start to licensed

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Oregon

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Oregon, individuals must complete a minimum of 625 hours of education from a Board-approved school. Applicants must pass a Board-approved national examination (such as the MBLEx or CESI) and the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam. Additionally, candidates must undergo a national criminal background check, be at least 18 years old, and hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Oregon offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states with equivalent or greater requirements, with the Board determining if further examination is needed.

Massage Therapist Requirements in Oregon

DetailOregon
Licensing BodyOregon Board of Massage Therapists
State License Required Yes
Education625-hour training program
Exam Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or CESI, and Oregon Jurisprudence Exam ($265)
Application Fee$135
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing Education25.0 hours per cycle
NotesRequires a background check with electronic fingerprinting ($47.25 processing fee to OBMT, plus a $12.50 fee to Fieldprint). Must be at least 18 years of age. Requires current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Initial license fee varies ($135-$270) based on renewal date.

Source: Oregon Board of Massage Therapists

Massage Therapist Salary in Oregon

The median massage therapist salary in Oregon is $82,860 per year, which is 43.0% above the national median of $57,950.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$45,910
25th$63,170
50th (median)$82,860
75th$95,870
90th (experienced)$103,150

Oregon employs approximately 2,280 massage therapists.

Massage Therapist Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+15.4%
Much faster than average
Annual Openings
24.7
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
168
Nationwide

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 Oregon Worth It?

Factors to consider: Oregon's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to becoming a massage therapist in Oregon?
To become a massage therapist in Oregon, you need to complete the required education (625-hour training program), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or CESI, and Oregon Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($135 fee).
Do I need a license to work as a massage therapist in Oregon?
A state license is required in Oregon. Oregon Board of Massage Therapists handles massage therapist licensing — the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or CESI, and Oregon Jurisprudence Exam is part of the process.
How much does a massage therapist make in Oregon?
Oregon massage therapists bring home a median salary of $82,860. This exceeds the $57,950 national median by 43%. The range spans from $45,910 at the entry level to $103,150 for top earners.
What's the total cost to get massage therapist certified in Oregon?
Between exam fee ($265) and application fee ($135), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How long does it take to become a massage therapist in Oregon?
Expect to spend 6-12 months from start to finish in Oregon — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.
What's required to renew a massage therapist license in Oregon?
To keep your license active, Oregon mandates 25.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.

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