Hiring guide · Beauty, Fitness & Personal Care
How to Hire a Massage Therapist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring massage therapists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $58,450), recruit through cosmetology, barbering and massage school career days, verify State massage therapy license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for massage therapists
There are about 155,400 massage therapists employed in the U.S., with roughly 20,400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +15.3% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $33,640–$43,480 | $16.17–$20.90 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $78,320 | $37.65 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $100,200 | $48.17 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Postsecondary nondegree award (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Massage techniques
- Empathy
Nice-to-haves
- State massage therapy license
- MBLEx
- NCBTMB Board Certification
- Experience with massage tables
Where to find massage therapists
- Cosmetology, barbering and massage school career days
- Certification bodies and continuing education classes
- Social media and client referrals
- Assistants and apprentices already on your team
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Licensed Massage Therapist, LMT, Sports Massage Therapist, Medical Massage Therapist
Screening checklist
- State license verification with the licensing board
- A practical skills demonstration or trial service
- Liability insurance and certification checks where required
- References focused on reliability and client service
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Which techniques do you specialize in?”
What a strong answer includes: Be specific.
2. “How do you handle contraindications?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain screening.
3. “How do you protect your body?”
What a strong answer includes: Discuss mechanics.
4. “How do you maintain boundaries?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain draping and consent.
5. “Are you licensed?”
What a strong answer includes: Share status.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Conduct a Client Intake (see the steps)
- Use Proper Body Mechanics (see the steps)
- Write SOAP Notes (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Swedish massage, Deep tissue, Trigger point
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Massage Therapist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Massage Therapist training. Show them the path forward: Massage Therapist → Specialist → Lead Therapist or Educator → Practice Owner.
Hiring massage therapists: FAQ
How much should I pay a massage therapist?
The U.S. median wage for massage therapists is $58,450 per year ($28.10/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($43,480), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($78,320). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a massage therapist have?
BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education. Look for State massage therapy license and MBLEx where relevant, plus skills such as massage techniques, anatomy and physiology, and client assessment.
How long does it take to train a new massage therapist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 6–12 months. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”