Career
Massage therapists
Relieve pain and tension through massage.
Here's what you actually need to know.
The work
What people in this job do
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
The outlook
How the forecast changed this year
The deeper question
What kind of person does this path ask you to become?
What this work centers on
O*NET interest profile, scored 1–7.
The work
Do you want most of your days spent on people & care, then objects & tools?
Responsibility
Are you willing to be the one responsible for this?
“Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.”
Development
What would you need to build over the next 5–10 years?
Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation.
Trade-offs
What does it ask of you in exchange?
Under 2 years of education after high school (postsecondary nondegree award), for a median of $58,450 a year and 20,400 openings nationally each year.
Paths in
Degrees that lead here
- Massage Therapy/Therapeutic MassageCIP 51.3501
- Asian Bodywork TherapyCIP 51.3502
- Somatic BodyworkCIP 51.3503
- Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, OtherCIP 51.3599
Paths across
Careers that use similar skills
- Physical Therapist Assistants$68,380 · +23.0%
- Recreational Therapists$61,960 · +4.8%
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$72,300 · +21.5%
- Physical Therapist Aides$35,240 · +4.0%
- Skincare Specialists$45,330 · +8.8%
Ask anything about this career.
“Would this make sense if I don't want to sit at a desk all day?” Answers will come from the sources on this page, with citations. Coming soon.
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Sources
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2024–34 (archived), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), National Center for O*NET Development / U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk, NCES and BLS. Retrieved 2026-10-01.