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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Massage Therapists

Median Salary
55,310
Job Outlook
+18%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

50%

Self-employed

47%

Private not for profit

1%

State and local government

0%

Federal Government

0%

What is the job outlook?

Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 22,800 openings for massage therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$20,330

10%

$55,310

Median

$94,620

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Post-secondary certificate

    73%

  • Associate's degree

    11%

  • Some college

    7%

  • High school

    3%

  • Bachelor's degree

    3%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
  • Asian Bodywork Therapy

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Low

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Psychology
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Administrative
  • Education and Training

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Decision Making

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Responsibility

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.