Massage Therapy School: What Does It Cost?

cost of massage therapy school

Massage therapy is a booming field that promises plenty of opportunities in the near future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that available jobs will grow at a rate of 23 percent between 2012 and 2022. This is a much faster job growth rate than average. Approximately 30,000 positions will be added over this period.

Prospective students often worry about the cost of massage therapy school. While the total massage therapy school cost can vary widely, there are some uniform costs that can be analyzed.

how much does massage therapy school cost

What Does a Massage Therapist Do?

Massage therapists are highly trained to use touch as a method of healing. Massage therapy school teaches these professionals how to manipulate soft tissue in the body in order to provide benefits including pain relief and stress reduction. Some massage therapists even work in conjunction with medical professionals to rehabilitate clients after an injury. The primary purpose of massage therapy is to improve the overall health of clients.

Top Careers in the Field of Massage Therapy

The field of massage therapy offers lucrative opportunities to professionals who specialize in areas including prenatal massage and massage therapist school costmassage for the elderly. Spas represent the biggest employer of massage therapists, but these professionals can work in medical offices, retirement homes and private offices.

U.S. News & World Report notes that the benefits of working as a massage therapist make it a top career choice. These benefits include flexibility, low stress and ample opportunities.

Massage Therapy Schools

The best massage therapy schools are those that are accredited. Schools that have earned a reputation for helping students succeed in the field are also ideal. Some of the top massage therapy schools with campuses across the U.S. include:

Massage Therapy School Entry Requirements

Most massage therapy schools require applicants to be at least 18 years old. A high school diploma or GED is also required. Background checks and a preliminary ethics test are both common during the admission process.

Total Cost of Massage Therapy School

The total cost of massage therapy school depends on the length of the program. Programs range from 500 hours to 1,000 hours. States set their own licensing requirements for the number of hours a student must attend an accredited massage therapy program. It is important to research the requirements in the state in which you would like to work.

massage therapy school costTuition ranges from $6,000 to $20,000. Costs are based on credit hours, so people who attend school in states with stricter requirements related to the length of the program will pay more.

Tuition is not the only cost of massage therapy school. Additional costs include equipment and licensing exam fees. Students will need to purchase their own table and linens. Textbooks are also a requirement, and the last step of attending a massage therapy school is sitting for the state licensing exam that costs several hundred dollars.

How much does massage therapy school cost? There are many factors to take into consideration when determining massage therapist school cost. Location of the school, length of the program and exam fees should all be considered. However, massage therapy is a lucrative career path for those who are willing to stick with massage school.

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One Response to Massage Therapy School: What Does It Cost?

  1. I paid around $9K for my schooling.
    Despite the expense I see so many students fail at massage as a career.
    Some I know never even attempted it after school, either being employed or running their own business.

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