155,400
massage therapist jobs
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that massage therapists held about 155,400 jobs in 2025.
2025 employment estimate
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗Industry reference
Massage Therapy Statistics: Workforce, Pay & Outlook
Current U.S. massage therapy workforce statistics, collected in one place for writers, students, practitioners and anyone looking for a reliable starting point.
Last updated November 3, 2026. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What this page covers
Clear numbers, careful context.
Massage therapy is often discussed through personal experience, but workforce data gives a useful view of the profession itself. This reference brings together the latest national employment, pay and outlook figures published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
These are national labor-market figures, not measures of treatment outcomes, clinical effectiveness or the experience of an individual client. For treatment-focused lymphatic massage care in Memphis and Cordova, explore The Lilypad's approach.
At a glance
Eight citable massage therapy statistics.
Each figure is linked to the same current federal source and labeled with the period it covers.
15%
projected job growth
Massage therapist employment is projected to grow 15% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3% across all U.S. occupations.
2025 to 2035 projection
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗23,700
additional jobs projected
The national projection rises from 155,400 massage therapist jobs in 2025 to 179,100 in 2035.
2025 to 2035 projection
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗20,400
average annual openings
BLS projects about 20,400 massage therapist openings each year, on average, over the 2025 to 2035 decade.
2025 to 2035 projection
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗$58,450
median annual wage
The national median annual wage for massage therapists was $58,450 in May 2025.
May 2025 wage data
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗36%
were self-employed
Self-employed workers made up the largest employment setting reported for massage therapists.
2025 work-environment data
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗33%
worked in personal care services
Personal care services was the next-largest employment setting reported for massage therapists.
2025 work-environment data
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗12%
worked in other health-practitioner offices
BLS reported 12% of massage therapists working in offices of other health practitioners.
2025 work-environment data
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ↗How to read the data
A profession with varied work settings.
The employment setting figures show why massage therapy does not fit a single business model. BLS reports self-employment as the largest setting, followed by personal care services, offices of other health practitioners, offices of chiropractors and accommodation. Those categories describe where workers are employed, not the quality or medical suitability of any particular service.
For people considering care, the practical takeaway is simple: ask clear questions about a practitioner's scope, the type of session offered and whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. A first appointment at The Lilypad begins with a free 15-minute consultation so that conversation can happen before a session begins.
Methodology & sources
One primary source, linked for verification.
All eight figures on this page come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for Massage Therapists, last modified August 27, 2026. The page reports employment, projected employment, annual openings, wage data and work-environment shares.
Figures are reproduced as BLS reports them. Percentages for work settings do not necessarily add to 100% because BLS lists the largest settings rather than every setting. Employment projections are estimates, not guarantees.
Cite this page
The Lilypad Massage Spa. “Massage Therapy Statistics: Workforce, Pay & Outlook.” Updated November 3, 2026. https://majesticservicesproducts.com/massage-therapy-statistics
When using a specific figure, please also cite the linked Bureau of Labor Statistics source.