Healthcare Support
Massage Therapists
Also called: BCMT (Board Certified Massage Therapist), Bodywork Therapist, Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Clinical Massage Therapist
US median pay
$58,450
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+15.3%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
20,400
155,400 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
What they do day to day
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
- Maintain treatment records.
- Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
- Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Systems Evaluation2.1/5
- Systems Analysis2.1/5
- Coordination2.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- English Language3.1/5
- Biology3.1/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.0/5
- Psychology2.9/5
- Education and Training2.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award.
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.