How to Become a Massage Therapist
Monster explains how to enter a rewarding career helping others.
Give your clients physical and mental relief as a massage therapist.
Stress is no stranger to most Americans. Whether it's linked to financial troubles, family challenges, or lack of sleep, the impact of stress is far reaching. Stress—along with long periods of sitting and repetitive physical labor—can affect the body and cause annoying aches and pains, as well as postural issues. Massage therapy is one of the many ways people get rid of those pesky knots that build up in their soft tissue. When you learn how to become a massage therapist, you can help your clients relax, recover from musculoskeletal injuries, relieve anxiety, and achieve general well-being.
Massage therapy is in high demand and has a promising job outlook of 21% growth over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That's much faster than the average for job growth. If you're ready to help people find relief from aches, pains, and twinges, read on to find out how to become a massage therapist.
What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is the method of applying pressure to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. There are different types of massage therapy that each serve a unique purpose, including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, trigger point massage, and hot stone massage. Massage therapy is often used to reduce stress, relieve pain, improve circulation, and treat a myriad of health conditions.
Most massage therapists are self-employed, but some work in personal care services, general health practitioner offices, or chiropractors' offices.
What Does a Massage Therapist Do?
Massage therapists manipulate muscles and other soft tissue to help clients relieve pain, recover from injuries, and relax. They use lotions and oils and massage chairs and tables and apply pressure with their hands, fingers, elbows, and forearms. Some massage therapists apply pressure with specific tools, such as hot stones.
In addition to applying pressure to soft tissue, massage therapists typically do the following:
- Discuss medical conditions, symptoms, medical history, and desired results with clients.
- Identify areas of pain and tension in the body.
- Keep records of clients' conditions and progress.
- Determine which massage method best serves each client.
- Offer clients tips on posture improvement, stretching, exercise, and relaxation.
To find out more about these day-to-day duties, read Monster's massage therapist job description sample.
How to Become a Massage Therapist
Want to know what it takes to become a massage therapist? We've outlined the education and licensing requirements you need to complete before you get started.
Education Requirements for Becoming a Massage Therapist
Learning how to become a massage therapist starts with education. You must complete a postsecondary massage therapy education program, with roughly 500 to 1,000 hours of study and hands-on experience. Most of these education programs are offered at postsecondary career institutions, as well as some universities and community colleges.
Classroom study often includes courses such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology, business management, and ethics. You'll also receive hands-on experience by performing massage therapy on clients in an academic setting under the supervision of an instructor.
How to Become a Licensed Massage Therapist
After finishing massage therapy school, you might need to get licensed, depending on which state you live in. To become licensed in your state, you must pass a state-issued exam. If an exam isn't offered in your state, you'll likely need to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), which is offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
You'll then need to pass a background check, obtain liability insurance, and get cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification. Depending on which state you're in, you may be required to periodically renew your license and take continuing education courses.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Massage Therapist?
The amount of time it takes to complete massage therapy school depends on your pace. If you attend school full time, you could complete a massage therapy education program within less than a year.
Licensure can be obtained in a matter of weeks, depending on your ability to pass the required exam. For example, if you don't pass the MBLEx, then you must retake the exam 30 days after taking the previous one. Additionally, background checks can take up to two weeks to complete.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Massage Therapist?
Tuition at massage therapy school can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on whether you go to a community college, university, or career institute. The application fee to take the MBLEx is $265. The same fee applies if you have to retake the exam. It's also important to factor in the equipment and materials you'll need to practice massage therapy. For example, you may spend a few hundred dollars on a massage table.
How Much Do Massage Therapists Make?
According to Monster's salary data, the median massage therapist salary in the United States is $25.12 per hour. Hourly pay can be as low as $18.65 or as high as $34.31, depending on your level of experience and location. You can look up the median salary for massage therapists in your area using Monster's Salary Tools.
How to Find Massage Therapist Jobs
Ready to look for massage therapist jobs on Monster? Put your new knowledge of how to become a massage therapist to the test by writing a top-notch resume and cover letter. If you have no idea where to start, you can relax: We have a massage therapist resume sample and a massage therapist cover letter sample to give you an idea of what your application should look like.
Want to know where the massage therapist jobs are? According to the BLS, the top five states in the U.S. with the most employed massage therapists are:
If you want to move somewhere specific, check out these top five U.S. metro areas for massage therapist jobs:
Avoid Job Search Stress by Joining Monster!
At Monster, we know how stressful trying to land a job can be—even if destressing is your profession. Now that you know how to become a massage therapist, you can relax and simply upload your resume to your Monster profile for free. That way, recruiters and employers can find you when they're looking for the right candidate for an open massage therapist position.
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