by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, massage therapy/therapeutic massage was the 626th most popular major nationwide with 10,595 degrees awarded. This is approximately the same as the 10,638 graduates the prior year.
Our 2023 Best Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage Schools ranking analyzes 44 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for massage therapy/therapeutic massage students. Explore this or one of our many other custom massage therapy/therapeutic massage rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in massage therapy/therapeutic massage is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Talking to others to convey information effectively and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional massage therapy/therapeutic massage certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage degree levels vary. Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest massage therapy/therapeutic massage degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common massage therapy/therapeutic massage degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to massage therapy/therapeutic massage, with approximately 18.0% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for massage therapy/therapeutic massage workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 35.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 14.4% |
| High School Diploma | 12.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.7% |
53.6% of massage therapy/therapeutic massage workers have at least a associate. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in massage therapy/therapeutic massage careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the massage therapy/therapeutic massage career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your massage therapy/therapeutic massage degree? Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage careers are expected to grow 26.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to massage therapy/therapeutic massage.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Massage Therapists | 202,400 | 26.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for massage therapy/therapeutic massage graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for massage therapy/therapeutic massage graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers massage therapy/therapeutic massage grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Massage Therapists | $45,880 |
With over 597 different massage therapy/therapeutic massage degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased massage therapy/therapeutic massage school rankings to help you with this.
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage is one of 3 different types of Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Asian Bodywork Therapy | 115 |
| Somatic Bodywork | 39 |
| Other Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | 2 |
View All Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage Related Majors >
