Massage Therapist in Illinois

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

Median annual salary

$60,640

trending_up +4.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Illinois.

engineering

4,600

Jobs (IL)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$440

Licensing fees

schedule

Several weeks (after training and exam)

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in Illinois

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Illinois, individuals must complete a minimum of 600 hours of supervised training from an IDFPR-approved massage therapy program. After completing the education, applicants must pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) and submit an online application with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). A criminal background check with fingerprinting is also required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old. Illinois offers licensure by endorsement for those licensed in other states with equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $30,000

25th percentile $46,450

50th (median) $60,640

75th percentile $72,260

90th (experienced) $97,360

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

checklist Illinois requirements

Licensing body	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
State license	Required
Education	Minimum of 600 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction from an approved program.
Exam	Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265)
Application fee	$175
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18. Requires fingerprinting for a criminal background check. As of January 2024, 2 hours of ethics training, 1 hour of sexual harassment prevention training, and 1 hour of domestic violence and sexual assault awareness are required for CE. The domestic violence and sexual assault awareness CE will be required starting with the 2026 renewal.

Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

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_circleIllinois 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?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a massage therapist in Illinois? expand_more

In Illinois, becoming a massage therapist requires you to complete the required education (Minimum of 600 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instruction from an approved program.), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and submit your application ($175 fee).

Does Illinois require massage therapist licensure? expand_more

A state license is required in Illinois. Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation handles massage therapist licensing — the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) is part of the process.

How much do massage therapists make in Illinois? expand_more

massage therapists in Illinois earn a median of $60,640 annually. That's roughly in line with the $57,950 national median. New massage therapists start around $30,000; seasoned professionals can reach $97,360.

How much does it cost to become a massage therapist in Illinois? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($265) and application fee ($175) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a massage therapist in Illinois? expand_more

Most candidates in Illinois complete the process in Several weeks (after training and exam), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

What's required to renew a massage therapist license in Illinois? expand_more

To keep your license active, Illinois mandates 24.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.