massage therapist jobs in the United States
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that massage therapists held about 155,400 jobs in 2025.
BLS, 2025 employment estimate ↗Updated September 21, 2026
Massage therapy statistics: U.S. usage, work, and trends.
Eight current figures on who uses massage, why they book, and how the profession is changing. Each number includes its source and data period.
Browse the statisticsWhat the figures show
Massage remains both a personal care choice and a growing profession.
National data shows that massage use has increased over time, while consumers increasingly describe health, wellness, and stress as their reasons for booking. At the same time, the field includes a large independent workforce and is projected to keep growing through 2035.
Citable figures
Massage therapy by the numbers.
of massage therapists were self-employed
Self-employment was the largest employment category reported for massage therapists in 2025.
BLS, 2025 work environment data ↗median annual pay for massage therapists
This was the national median annual wage reported for May 2025.
BLS, May 2025 wage data ↗projected job growth from 2025 to 2035
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects massage therapist employment to grow by 23,700 jobs over the decade.
BLS, 2025–2035 projection ↗projected openings each year
The estimate is an annual average for massage therapist openings from 2025 through 2035.
BLS, 2025–2035 projection ↗of U.S. adults used massage therapy
National survey data put past-year adult use at 10.9% in 2022, more than double the 4.8% reported in 2002.
NCCIH, 2022 national survey data ↗received their last massage for health, wellness, or stress
Among massage consumers, 49% named health or wellness and 30% named stress as their primary reason in the 12 months ending June 2025.
AMTA, 12 months ending June 2025 ↗average massages in the past 12 months
This is the average number reported by consumers surveyed in AMTA’s 2025 research.
AMTA, July 2025 survey ↗A closer look
What people say they want from massage.
AMTA’s 2025 consumer research found that 71% of massage consumers used massage for a health or medical reason in the prior 12 months. Within that group, 29% said pain relief or pain management was a reason for getting massage.
Read the consumer research ↗Important context
These figures describe national surveys and workforce estimates. They do not predict the right type, length, or outcome of an individual massage session.
Explore massage services →Sources and methodology
Where these figures come from.
This page uses federal workforce data, national health survey data, and a national consumer survey. Dates are shown so readers can judge each figure in context.
- 01U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Massage Therapists ↗
Data date: 2025 employment and wage data; 2025–2035 projections
Employment, pay, industry mix, and 2025–2035 employment projections.
- 02National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Massage Therapy ↗
Data date: 2022 national survey data
U.S. adult use of massage therapy from the National Health Interview Survey.
- 03American Massage Therapy Association: Consumer Views & Use of Massage Therapy ↗
Data date: July 2025 survey and 12 months ending June 2025
Consumer reasons for massage, frequency, and the setting of their last massage.
Cite this page
Natural Healing Massage. “Massage Therapy Statistics: U.S. Usage, Work, and Trends.” Updated September 21, 2026.
Massage in Lihue