Massage Therapist in Alaska

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AK. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$135,200

trending_up +133.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Alaska.

engineering

570

Jobs (AK)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$815

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (application processing 3-5 weeks)

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in Alaska

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Alaska, applicants must register with the Alaska Board of Massage Therapists. Key steps include completing a minimum of 625 hours of in-class supervised instruction and clinical work from a board-approved school, passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and submitting an application with a fee of $550, which includes the application, license, and fingerprint processing fees. Additionally, applicants must have current CPR certification and pass a national criminal history record check. Alaska offers reciprocity for licensees from specific states with equivalent or greater licensing requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $56,200

25th percentile $92,800

50th (median) $135,200

75th percentile $153,700

90th (experienced) $167,550

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Alaska. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Alaska requirements

Licensing body	Alaska Board of Massage Therapists
State license	Required
Education	625-hour training program
Exam	Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265)
Application fee	$550
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	16.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires current CPR certification and a national criminal history record check (fingerprinting). At least 2 hours of the 16 CE hours must be in ethics. An applicant for renewal may receive four hours of continuing education credit for completion of a bloodborne pathogens and universal and standard precautions course once every six years. Minimum age not specified, but typically 18 for professional licenses.

Source: Alaska Board of Massage Therapists

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+15.4%

Much faster than average

Annual openings

24,700

Nationwide per year

Total employment

168,000

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.41/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleAlaska license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+15.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a massage therapist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

How do I become a massage therapist in Alaska? expand_more

To become a massage therapist in Alaska, you need to complete the required education (625-hour training program), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and submit your application ($550 fee).

Is a massage therapist license required in Alaska? expand_more

A state license is required in Alaska. Alaska Board of Massage Therapists handles massage therapist licensing — the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is part of the process.

What do massage therapists earn in Alaska? expand_more

Alaska massage therapists bring home a median salary of $135,200. This exceeds the $57,950 national median by 133%. New massage therapists start around $56,200; seasoned professionals can reach $167,550.

What are the fees to become a massage therapist in Alaska? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($265) and application fee ($550) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a massage therapist in Alaska? expand_more

The typical timeline in Alaska is Varies (application processing 3-5 weeks). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

How many CE hours do massage therapists need in Alaska? expand_more

Alaska requires 16.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your massage therapist license.