Career Profile: Massage Therapist
See Available Massage Therapist Schools
Job Description:
Massage therapist professionals skillfully apply hand techniques to the patient's body in order to boost blood circulation and relax tensed muscles. They administer body conditioning methods that can enhance joint mobility and range of motion. The stimulating and warming effect of body massages help patients to feel more relaxed by releasing body tension. An array of hand and pressure techniques is normally used by massage therapist professionals when conditioning the body.
A professional massage therapist will most likely assume the following duties and responsibilities:
- effectively treat patients either for medical or relaxation purposes
- use varying pressure techniques and massage methods to improve blood circulation
- ensure that the patient remains comfortable all throughout the massage session
- enhance relaxation by creating a stress-free environment
- center focus on areas of the body where tension is usually accumulated (like the back and shoulders)
Massage therapist professionals may choose to specialize on one or more massage techniques which typically include:
- Reflexology
- Shiatsu
- Swedish Massage
- Sports Massage
- Remedial Massage
- Relaxation Massage
Work Environment:
Even though majority opted to practice privately, there are still some who work in spas, healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, private clinics, and chiropractic offices. Full-time massage therapist professionals work 35 to 40 hours a week, while those providing private practices may work in extended hours. Massage therapist professionals work in a dimly-lit, clean, relaxing and comfortable massage room.
Education and Training Requirements:
Job requirements to practice the profession legally greatly vary from state-to-state. Some may require formal training, while others don’t. Hence, it would be best if you get a formal education from accredited massage therapy schools. There are now plenty of community colleges and vocational schools offering massage therapy programs that cover topics in kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, and professional ethics. Depending on the state where you are planning to practice, you might be required to pass the exam issued by the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Body Work.
Salary Range:
On the average, massage therapist professionals earn around $37,502 - $56,788 annually. While those who have higher professional standing with relevant experiences can receive up to $66,232 or more. Income rate of massage therapy professionals is influenced by certain factors, including practice setting, geographical location, area of specialization, and experience.
Job Outlook:
Employment outlook for massage therapist professionals is quite good. In fact, more job opportunities will be generated due to the increasing demand for qualified and certified massage therapist professionals in health spas, private massage centers, and rehabilitation facilities.
Don’t waste time and start realizing your dreams by browsing through our comprehensive list of massage therapy schools!
| Alabama |
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(Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile)
- Massage, Personal Fitness Training |
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| Arizona |
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(Phoenix) - Dental Assistant, Hospital Unit Coordinator, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Technologist in Radiology, Surgical Technologist, Massage Therapy |
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| California Schools |
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(Indio, La Mesa, San Marcos) - Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy |
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(Alhambra, Anaheim, City of Industry, Gardena, Hayward, Ontario, Reseda, San Bernadino, San Francisco, San Jose, Torrance, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles) - Massage Therapy |
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(Canyon Country, Lancaster) - Massage Therapy |
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| Golden
State College* |
(Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia)
- Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy |
|
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(Sacramento)
- Massage Therapy |
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| ICT College |
(Los Angeles) - Massage Therapy |
|
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(Santa Clara) - Massage Therapy |
|
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(SF Bay Area) - Massage Therapist |
|
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(Gold River - Sacramento ) - Massage Therapy, Health &
Fitness Professional |
|
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(San Diego) - Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting |
|
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(Victorville)
- Massage Therapist |
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| Western College of Southern California |
(Cerritos)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Delaware |
|
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(Wilmington)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Florida Schools |
|
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(DeLand)
- Patient Care Technician, Therapeutic Massage |
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| Edutech Centers |
(Brandon, Clearwater)
- Massage Therapist, Medical Assistant |
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Everest University* |
(Brandon/Tampa, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orange Park, North Orlando, Pinellas, Pompano Beach, South Orlando, Tampa)
- Massage Therapist, |
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| |
(Orlando)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Humanities
Center School of Massage Institute of Allied Health |
(Park)
- Therapeutic Applications of Massage Program |
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| Keiser College |
(Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Kendall, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orlando, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota,
Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach) - Allied Health, Massage Therapy, Occupational
Therapy Assistant |
|
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(Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Kendall, Miami)
- Advanced Massage Therapist, Massage Therapy, Patient
Care Technician |
|
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(Tampa, Ft Lauderdale, Jacksonville)
- Advanced Massage Therapy |
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| Georgia Schools |
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| ACT: Advanced Career Training |
(Atlanta, Riverdale)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant |
|
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(Marietta, Norcross)
- Massage Therapy |
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| |
(Dekalb, Marietta, Norcross) - Massage Therapy |
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| |
(Atlanta)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Hawaii Schools |
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(Honolulu)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Idaho Schools |
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| |
Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy |
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| Indiana Schools |
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| |
(Merrillville) - Massage Therapy |
|
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(Hammond, Merrillville)
- Clinical Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Massage &
Bodywork |
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| Kentucky Schools |
|
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(Lexington)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Maryland Schools |
|
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(Beltsville, Towson)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Massachusetts Schools |
|
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(Springfield)
- Medical Assistant, Massage Therapist |
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| |
(Brighton, Chelsea) - Massage Therapy |
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(Somerville, Lowell
)- Massage Therapy |
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(Formerly Ultrasound Diagnostic School)(Springfield) |
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| Michigan Schools |
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(Dearborn, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Southfield) - Massage Therapy |
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| National
Institute of Technology* |
(Detroit, Dearborn, Southfield)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Minnesota Schools |
|
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(Mendota Heights) - Massage Therapy |
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(Eagan) - Massage Therapy |
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| Duluth
Business University |
(Duluth)
- Massage Therapy |
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(Minneapolis)
- Massage Therapy |
|
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(Brooklyn Center, Oakdale, Plymouth, Richfield, Rochester, Shakopee, Waite Park) - Health & Exercise Sciences, Massage
Therapy |
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| Mississippi Schools |
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(Jackson)
- Therapeutic Massage |
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| Missouri Schools |
|
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(St. Louis) - Medical Massage Science, Massage Therapy |
|
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(Fenton, St. Charles, Hazelwood)
- Respiratory Therapy, Massage Therapy |
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| Nebraska Schools |
|
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(Lincoln, Omaha)
- Medical Assistant, Practical Nursing, Dental Assistant,
Massage Therapy |
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| Nevada Schools |
|
| Career
Education Institute |
(Henderson)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant,
Medical Assistant |
|
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(Las Vegas) - Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical
Insurance Coder and Biller, Pharmacy Technician |
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| |
(Las Vegas) - Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical
Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician,
Surgical Technologist |
|
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(Henderson, Las Vegas) - Administrative Medical Assistant, Medical
Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Massage
Therapy |
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| Nevada
Career Academy |
(Sparks)
- Administrative Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy,
Medical Assisting, Pharmaceutical Technician |
|
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(Las Vegas) - Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical
Office Specialist, Surgical Technology |
|
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(Las Vegas) - Professional Massage Therapy |
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| New Hampshire Schools |
|
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(Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Salem)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Psychology |
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| Seacoast
Career School |
(Manchester)
- Health Claims Specialist, Massage Therapy, Medical
Assistant |
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| New Jersey Schools |
|
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(Cherry Hill) - Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy,
Medical Assistant |
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| Helma
Institute |
(Saddle Brook) - Massage Therapy |
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(Turnersville)
- Massage Therapy |
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(Formerly Ultrasound Diagnostic School)(Iselin)
- Massage Therapy |
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| Somerset
School of Massage Therapy* |
(Piscataway, Wall Township) - Massage Therapy |
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| The
Anthem Institute |
(Cherry Hill, Jersey City, Parsippany, North Brunswick) - Medical Admin |
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(Edison, Mt. Laurel, Paramus)
- Medical Assistant |
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| Ohio Schools |
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(Gahanna)
- Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy |
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| Oregon Schools |
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| Ashmead
College |
(Tigard)
- Massage Therapy, Spa & Aromatherapy |
|
 |
(Beaverton)
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant,
Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical
Technologist |
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| Health
Career Institute |
(Wilsonville)
- Healthcare Administration, Massage Therapy, Medical
Assisting, Medical Claims & Billing, Pharmacy Technician |
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| Pennsylvania Schools |
|
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(Wyomissing)
- Medical Assistant Program, Massage Therapy |
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| Career Training
Academy |
(Monroeville, New Kensington, Pittsburgh)
- Advanced Bodyworker, Advanced Medical Coder/Biller,
Basic Shiatsu Technician, Comprehensive Massage Therapist,
Medical Biller, Therapeutic Massage Technician, Swedish
Massage Practitioner, Medical Administrative Assistant |
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| Center for Certification and Adult Learning |
(Pittsburgh)
- Certificate in Therapeutic Massage |
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| CLN |
(Altoona, Mechanicsburg)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician,
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist |
|
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(Center Valley) - Massage Therapy |
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(Philadelphia)
- Massage Therapy |
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(Formerly Ultrasound Diagnostic School)(Piladelphia)
- Medical Assistant, Diagnostic Medical Sonography,
Non-Invasive Cardiovascular & Surgical Technology
, Massage Therapy |
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| Rhode Island Schools |
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(Lincoln)
- Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy |
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| Medical Assistant / Healthcare
Schools in Tennessee: |
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(Memphis, Nashville)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant |
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| Texas Schools |
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(Austin, Houston North Loop, Houston Southwest) - Massage Therapy |
|
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(Dallas, Hurst)
- , Massage Therapy, Respiratory Therapy Technology |
|
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(Austin, College Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Killeen, Lubbock, Midland, San Angelo, San Antonio, Waco)
- Massage Therapy |
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(Irving)
- Basic Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy
Technician, Surgical Technologist |
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| National
Institute of Technology |
(Austin, Houston/Bissonnet, Houston/Galleria, Houston/Greenspoint, Houston/Hobby, San Antonio) - Massage Therapy, Medical Insurance Billing
& Coding, Pharmacy Technician |
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| Utah Schools |
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(Salt Lake City) - Massage Therapy |
|
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(Provo)
- Physical Therapist Assistant, Therapeutic Massage
Technology |
|
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(West Jordan) - Health & Exercise Sciences, Massage
Therapy, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Pharmacy Technology,
Veterinary Technician |
|
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(Salt Lake City, Utah Valley) - Professional Massage Therapy |
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| Washington Schools |
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(Bremerton) - Massage Therapy |
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| Ashmead College* |
(Seattle, Fife, Vancouver, Everett)
- Fitness Trainer, Massage Therapy, Spa and Aromatherapy |
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| Canada Schools |
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| Everest College |
(Barrie, Hamilton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Toronto College Park, Windor; ON) - Massage Therapy |
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* Program Availability Varies By Location and Often Changes. To get the most up-to-date information, use the links we provide to request additional information from a local campus representative.
