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Massage Therapy Career Opportunities

Careers in massage therapy have a very strong job outlook, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimating that employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18% through 2032. This growth is much faster than the average for all occupations, resulting in an estimated 22,000 openings for massage therapists each year over the decade. These job openings are available in a wide variety of settings. Once you become licensed as a massage therapist, you can choose to work in:

• Spas: Specialize in one type of massage or offer multiple, including deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, prenatal massage, and more.
• Wellness centers: Offer a relaxing massage experience to relieve stress, tension, and pain.
• Resorts and hotels: Provide a variety of relaxing massages to guests, including Swedish massage, hot stone massage, and more.
• Fitness centers/yoga studios: Help clients relax and relieve tight muscles after workout sessions.
• Chiropractic or medical offices: Give clients deep tissue massages to improve range of motion when combined with other chiropractic techniques.
• Rehabilitation facilities: Provide massage as part of a physical therapy or rehabilitation program to relieve pain, inflammation, and scar tissue.
• Sports teams: Use specific sports massage techniques to help reduce pain and inflammation in athletes and improve performance during games.
• Nursing homes: Specialize in geriatric or elder massage to relieve pain in older clients.

Besides providing massages, massage therapists can also work as spa managers or assistants, physical therapy assistants, estheticians, and more. Massage therapists can even work for themselves as independent contractors. Some of these career choices may require additional preparation, but your massage therapy program training will provide you with a strong starting point.