Massage Therapist in Louisiana

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

Median annual salary

$58,010

trending_up +0.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Louisiana.

engineering

540

Jobs (LA)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$340

Licensing fees

schedule

6-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in Louisiana

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Louisiana, applicants must register with the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy. Key steps include completing a minimum 500-hour in-class, instructor-supervised training program, passing the MBLEx or NCBTMB national exam, and undergoing a criminal background check. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Louisiana offers reciprocity to licensed massage therapists from other states with comparable requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,800

25th percentile $45,230

50th (median) $58,010

75th percentile $70,140

90th (experienced) $80,340

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

checklist Louisiana requirements

Licensing body	Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy
State license	Required
Education	500-hour in-class, instructor-supervised training program (325 hours massage therapy techniques, 125 hours anatomy & physiology, 50 hours related coursework including business, ethics, CPR/first aid). Note: As of December 31, 2026, the requirement changes to a minimum 625-hour instructor-supervised course of studies (400 hours massage therapy techniques, maximum 175 hours anatomy & physiology, minimum 10 hours Louisiana law, rules, and ethics, remaining hours in related subjects).
Exam	Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or NCBTMB credentialing exam, followed by Louisiana's Board Oral Examination. ($265)
Application fee	$75
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18 years old. Requires a criminal background check. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. First-year applicants are not required to take CEUs. Renewals are due by March 31st each year. Online renewals are currently unavailable due to a security breach; renewals must be mailed.

Source: Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy

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_circleLouisiana 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 Louisiana? expand_more

In Louisiana, becoming a massage therapist requires you to complete the required education (500-hour in-class, instructor-supervised training program (325 hours massage therapy techniques, 125 hours anatomy & physiology, 50 hours related coursework including business, ethics, CPR/first aid). Note: As of December 31, 2026, the requirement changes to a minimum 625-hour instructor-supervised course of studies (400 hours massage therapy techniques, maximum 175 hours anatomy & physiology, minimum 10 hours Louisiana law, rules, and ethics, remaining hours in related subjects).), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or NCBTMB credentialing exam, followed by Louisiana's Board Oral Examination., and submit your application ($75 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a massage therapist in Louisiana? expand_more

Louisiana mandates state licensure for massage therapists. Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy oversees the process, which includes passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or NCBTMB credentialing exam, followed by Louisiana's Board Oral Examination..

What is the average massage therapist salary in Louisiana? expand_more

massage therapists in Louisiana earn a median of $58,010 annually. This is close to the national median of $57,950. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $37,800, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $80,340.

What's the total cost to get massage therapist certified in Louisiana? expand_more

Between exam fee ($265) and application fee ($75), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

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

Expect to spend 6-12 months from start to finish in Louisiana — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

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

To keep your license active, Louisiana mandates 12.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.