by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 358 U.S. colleges awarded 10,831 degrees and certificates in Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 241 schools in its 2027 Best Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $20,842 one year after completing, rising to $29,564 after four years.
If you are interested in a career that allows you to work with others and help them relieve their stress, consider majoring in Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services.
Students in this field take classes in kinesiology, physiology, pathology, anatomy, and massage therapy to learn the skills to massage, compress, and knead stress and tension from muscles. This will prepare you for a career in holistic medicine and allow you to help your patients find mind and body balance.
Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services students typically specialize in Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage, Asian Bodywork Therapy, or Somatic Bodywork.
A major in Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services explores Somatic Bodywork And Related Therapeutic Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, somatic bodywork & therapeutic services is a popular field of study, with 10,831 degrees awarded annually. 358 colleges award somatic bodywork & therapeutic services degrees, an average of 30 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,113.
By level, the 10,831 awards include 3,402 certificates, 444 associate degrees, 1 bachelor’s degrees and 6,984 master’s degrees.
Women earned 74% of somatic bodywork & therapeutic services degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,967 of 10,831). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (4,258) and Hispanic or Latino (3,158), and international students earned 77.
College Factual ranks 241 schools in its 2027 Best Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services Schools ranking, including 14 for associate degrees. It also ranks somatic bodywork & therapeutic services schools within 9 states. In all, 358 colleges offer somatic bodywork & therapeutic services programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common somatic bodywork & therapeutic services credential is the master’s degree: 6,984 of the 10,831 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to somatic bodywork & therapeutic services call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Biology and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Since you will be working with a variety of patients to help them find mind-body balance and relieve their tension, it is important to have strong analytical skills to determine which types of massage and areas of the body need to be relaxed in order to improve overall well-being. Professionals should also have strong interpersonal and communication skills to understand patients' needs and make them feel comfortable in their office.
Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services professionals typically work part time in salons, spas, health clubs, or clinics, but some professionals do find fulltime jobs. Professionals who are part time usually schedule appointments with patients, so they are able to make their own hours. Full time professionals work in offices and hold normal business hours.
Many professionals in the Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services profession have an associate's degree or certification in the field. However, there are some colleges that offer a bachelor's degree.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a somatic bodywork & therapeutic services degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3,402 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 444 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6,984 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to somatic bodywork & therapeutic services, at 31.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 31.5% |
| Master’s degree | 21.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services, with an average median salary of $45,747; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Veterinary Science Teacher, Pathology Teacher, Pharmacology Professor and Music Therapy Teacher.
Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services graduates work in a variety of locations from spas, salons, and health clubs to hospitals, chiropractic offices, and other medical offices. Some professionals are self-employed and will travel to patients' homes or other locations. You will be able to work anywhere that requires the services of masseuses, massage therapists, or other bodywork specialists.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to somatic bodywork & therapeutic services, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Massage Therapists | 893,791 | 7.4% |
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services graduates earn a median $20,842 one year after completing their program, $29,564 after four years and $24,742 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $20,842 |
| 4 years | $29,564 |
| 5 years | $24,742 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to somatic bodywork & therapeutic services, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Massage Therapists | $44,831 |
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services includes 4 concentrations that together award 10,831 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage (10,676), Asian Bodywork Therapy (108) and Somatic Bodywork (42). It has 30 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 1,026,629 degrees a year; the largest are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (318,053), Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (110,132) and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (98,474). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage | 10,676 |
| Asian Bodywork Therapy | 108 |
| Somatic Bodywork | 42 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, Other | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
