Massage Therapist in New York

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

Median annual salary

$58,730

trending_up +1.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, New York.

engineering

4,700

Jobs (NY)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$368

Licensing fees

schedule

12-18 months

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in New York

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in New York, individuals must complete a 1000-hour training program from a New York State Education Department-approved school. Subsequently, applicants must pass the New York State Massage Therapy Examination and submit an application with the required fees to the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Notable requirements include being at least 18 years old, possessing a high school diploma or GED, and holding current CPR certification. While New York does not offer true reciprocity, licensed massage therapists from other states may apply for licensure by endorsement if their qualifications align with New York's standards, often requiring them to take the New York State exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,360

25th percentile $42,380

50th (median) $58,730

75th percentile $75,380

90th (experienced) $104,060

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

checklist New York requirements

Licensing body	New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
State license	Required
Education	1000-hour training program
Exam	New York State Massage Therapy Examination ($260)
Application fee	$108
Renewal	Every 3.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and of good moral character. A high school diploma or GED is required. CPR certification must be completed within three years prior to licensure. New York does not accept the MBLEx and has its own state-specific exam. A background check is not a standard requirement.

Source: New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions

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_circleNew York 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.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a massage therapist in New York? expand_more

To become a massage therapist in New York, you need to complete the required education (1000-hour training program), pass the New York State Massage Therapy Examination, and submit your application ($108 fee).

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

A state license is required in New York. New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions handles massage therapist licensing — the New York State Massage Therapy Examination is part of the process.

How much does a massage therapist make in New York? expand_more

New York massage therapists bring home a median salary of $58,730. — within a few percent of the $57,950 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $35,360, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $104,060.

How expensive is massage therapist licensing in New York? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($260) and application fee ($108) and required training.

How quickly can I become a massage therapist in New York? expand_more

The typical timeline in New York is 12-18 months. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does New York require continuing education for massage therapists? expand_more

To keep your license active, New York mandates 36.0 CE hours every 3.0 years.