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Massage Employment Outlook

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Licensed massage therapists are members of the healthcare community

Licensed massage therapists (LMTs) work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, sports medicine clinics, medical and physical therapy offices/clinics, health clubs, spas, alternative medicine clinics, counseling and rehabilitation centers, and private massage clinics.

Most licensed massage therapists are also small business owners. Some are not pursuing the equivalent of a full-time income. Others will manage their small business more aggressively and, as a result, generate larger numbers of repeat clients more quickly. Whatcom's massage therapist program includes course work introducing students to the "business side" of their career.

Starting wages in Whatcom County for massage therapists range from $17.87 to $28.73 per hour; average hourly wages are $38.27. (Sources: Washington Employment Security Department, October 2022; Career OneStop, 2022) 

Employers

Local and regional employers of recent program graduates include:

  • Advanced Medical Massage
  • The Apothecary Spa
  • Atlas Chiropractic
  • Blaine Healing Arts Massage Therapy
  • Mountain Meadow Massage
  • Natural Way Chiropractic
  • One Body Massage and Restoration
  • Sather Chiropractic Center
  • Semiahmoo Spa
  • Silver Reef Hotel Casino and Spa
  • Still Life Massage and Float
  • Zazen Salon Spa

Licensure

Students who complete WCC’s massage therapist program receive a certificate in massage. Students are then eligible to take a national licensure exam, which is one requirement for licensure in Washington state.

Other requirements for licensure include:

  • Statement about:
    • Physical and mental health status
    • Lack of impairment due to chemical dependency/substance abuse
    • History of loss of license, certification or registration
    • Felony convictions
    • Loss or limitations of privileges
    • Disciplinary actions
    • Professional liability claims history
  • State license verification (for applicants who have held licenses in another state)
  • Four hours of HIV/AIDS training
  • First Aid and CPR cards or verification from an approved education program.

These requirements are submitted to the Department of Health, Board of Massage for consideration of licensure. Visit the Washington State Department of Health for information on applications and forms, education requirements, fees, and laws.

Education and licensing requirements vary between states. Visit the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) for a list of each state's licensing authority and information on licensing requirements and processes.

Career advancement

There are different areas of specialization within the massage profession including:

  • Therapeutic medical massage
  • Infant massage
  • Pregnancy massage
  • Sports massage
  • Wellness massage
  • Massage within the hospitality industry (e.g., hotel spas)

Some massage professionals choose to pursue related medical professions. These may include acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, and physical therapy. Many choose to specialize within certain practices or modalities, such as Thai massage, acupressure, and lymphatic drainage.

In accordance with state licensure requirements, each massage therapist must show a total of at least 24 continuing education (training) hours every two years. Continuing education is often where massage therapists will learn and begin to practice specialty options. The Washington state chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association is the primary resource for massage professionals to find out about continuing education options in addition to many other current topics.

Throughout the massage therapist program at Whatcom, your instructors will be able to explain professional options by sharing their years of training and experience.