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What is a certified massage therapist and how to become one
Certified massage therapists provide their client's massage treatment for muscle relief, joint pain, and other health problems. They help them relax, relieve stress, and improve circulation for pain-free movement and an overall healthier body.
You have the opportunity to work in a massage parlor, a health care facility, or as an independent freelancer visiting your clients in their homes. Working together with physicians and physiotherapists is also common. You will consult your clients to understand their conditions to the fullest, explain the treatment you provide and answer any questions they might have.
You will need to know and use techniques that are both safe for you and your clients. You will have to be friendly and customer-oriented, tending to your clients' needs in a professional manner while keeping your equipment and area clean and safe to use.
Avg. Salary $50,956
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 20%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.27%
Asian 11.00%
Black or African American 6.03%
Hispanic or Latino 16.84%
Unknown 5.32%
White 60.54%
Genderfemale 80.64%
male 19.36%
Age - 40American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 40Stress level is moderate
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Certified massage therapist career paths
Key steps to become a certified massage therapist
Explore certified massage therapist education requirements
Start to develop specific certified massage therapist skills
Skills Percentages Customer Service 70.21% Sports Massage 5.90% Taking Care 5.32% Spa Treatments 2.38% Therapeutic Massage 1.70% Complete relevant certified massage therapist training and internships
Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New certified massage therapists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a certified massage therapist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real certified massage therapist resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed certified massage therapist usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed certified massage therapist in most of states. 37 states require certified massage therapists to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Alabama - - Licensed Massage Therapist Alaska Specific course required Third-party exam required Massage Therapist Arkansas Specific course required Both state and third-party exams required Massage Therapist Colorado Specific course required Third-party exam required Massage Therapists Connecticut Specific course required Third-party exam required Massage Therapist Gain additional certified massage therapist certifications
More About CertificationsCertified massage therapist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific certified massage therapist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for certified massage therapists include Massage Therapy Certification (MT) and National Certification for Therapeutic Massage (NCTM).
Research certified massage therapist duties and responsibilities
- Manage confidential client health information in accordance with the HIPPA act.
- Used bodywork techniques such as reflexology.
- Perform massages, reflexology, facials, pedicures and manicures.
- Provide targeted therapy to each patient in order to maximize benefits of chiropractic care
Prepare your certified massage therapist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your certified massage therapist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a certified massage therapist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable certified massage therapist resume templates
Build a professional certified massage therapist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your certified massage therapist resume.
Apply for certified massage therapist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a certified massage therapist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first certified massage therapist job
Are you a certified massage therapist?
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Average certified massage therapist salary
The average certified massage therapist salary in the United States is $50,956 per year or $25 per hour. Certified massage therapist salaries range between $29,000 and $87,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do certified massage therapists rate their job?
Certified massage therapist reviews
The satisfaction of knowing i help people to live a better quality of life through my craft.
I dont like working with team members who dont know anything about what a Massage Therapists job entails
I love helping people who have issues with having pain. And getting great results! I love to relax them and get them back to balance with a quality of life.
Being underpaid.
I love the clientele. From the young to the older, there is just a different type of job satisfaction that comes with working this position.
I haven't found that yet
Updated January 8, 2025
