Massage Therapy graduates will have a very promising future in the coming years, with plenty of employment and advancement opportunities.

Supervisor-level positions are available to massage therapists who work in large health clubs, fitness centers, spas, resorts and country clubs. Those employed by community service organizations can become health service directors.  Private practitioners can advance their careers by building a good reputation and client base. Others work in clinical settings with doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists and other health care providers.

Though massage treatments may not be covered under most health insurance plans, many HMOs are beginning to cover massage therapy. Many practitioners provide on-site chair massages for local businesses.

Massage therapy training can be used as a stepping-stone to enter chiropractic, physical therapy, doctor of naturopathy or any other medical field.

 
Entry Pay Rates

Hourly rates for massage therapists range from $10-$80 depending upon the years of experience, quality of service and location of business. Median income is $35,000 per year based on a 25-hour workweek.

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Massage Therapy 


State Licensure

Graduates of the Certificate of Proficiency and Post-Degree Certificate are eligible to apply for State Medical Board of Ohio licensure after passing the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) MBLEx exam and meeting other medical board requirements.

Graduates can also sit for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) examination which is required by some states.  Note: Other states also use the MBLEx licensure exam.

Important: There is no guarantee that graduates will be eligible to sit for or pass the massage exams. You must also meet state eligibility requirements.

State Medical Board of Ohio requires that all applicants for massage licensure must submit BCII and FBI fingerprints and a criminal background check as part of the massage licensure application process.  Please see rule 4731-4-02 (D) of the Ohio Administrative Code (http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/4731-4) for factors the medical board may consider when reviewing the results of a criminal record check.

IMPORTANT: Arrests, charges, or convictions of criminal offenses may be cause to deny or limit licensure or employment opportunities in specific careers and occupations such as massage therapy and may limit the student's ability to obtain federal, state and other financial aid.  Students are encouraged to investigate these possibilities before applying to the Massage Therapy Program.