by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 352 U.S. colleges awarded 10,676 degrees and certificates in Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 65% of graduates. College Factual ranks 238 schools in its 2027 Best Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage 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.
Studying Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage involves the study of Massage Therapy/therapeutic Massage. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Provide Relief And Improved Health And Well-Being To Clients Through The Application Of Manual Techniques For Manipulating Skin, Muscles, And Connective Tissues. Includes Instruction In Western (Swedish) Massage, Sports Massage, Myotherapy/trigger Point Massage, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue Massage, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Reflexology, Massage Safety And Emergency Management, Client Counseling, Practice Management, Applicable Regulations, And Professional Standards And Ethics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, massage therapy/therapeutic massage draws strong interest, with 10,676 degrees awarded annually. 352 colleges award massage therapy/therapeutic massage degrees, an average of 30 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,113.
By level, the 10,676 awards include 3,332 certificates, 395 associate degrees, 1 bachelor’s degrees and 6,948 master’s degrees.
Women earned 74% of massage therapy/therapeutic massage degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,860 of 10,676). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (4,187) and Hispanic or Latino (3,137), and international students earned 70.
College Factual ranks 238 schools in its 2027 Best Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage Schools ranking, including 12 for associate degrees. It also ranks massage therapy/therapeutic massage schools within 8 states. In all, 352 colleges offer massage therapy/therapeutic massage programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common massage therapy/therapeutic massage credential is the master’s degree: 6,948 of the 10,676 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to massage therapy/therapeutic massage 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a massage therapy/therapeutic massage degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3,332 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 395 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6,948 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to massage therapy/therapeutic massage, 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 Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage, 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 Dentistry Teacher, Dental Hygiene Instructor, Occupational Therapy Aides Teacher and Anatomy Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to massage therapy/therapeutic massage, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Massage Therapists | 893,791 | 7.4% |
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage 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 massage therapy/therapeutic massage, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Massage Therapists | $44,831 |
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage has 3 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 155 degrees a year; the largest are Asian Bodywork Therapy (108), Somatic Bodywork (42) and Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, Other (5). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Asian Bodywork Therapy | 108 |
| Somatic Bodywork | 42 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, Other | 5 |
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