Massage Therapist in Oregon

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

Median annual salary

$82,860

trending_up +43.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Oregon.

engineering

2,280

Jobs (OR)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$400

Licensing fees

schedule

6-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in Oregon

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Oregon, individuals must complete a minimum of 625 hours of education from a Board-approved school. Applicants must pass a Board-approved national examination (such as the MBLEx or CESI) and the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam. Additionally, candidates must undergo a national criminal background check, be at least 18 years old, and hold a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Oregon offers reciprocity for applicants licensed in other states with equivalent or greater requirements, with the Board determining if further examination is needed.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $45,910

25th percentile $63,170

50th (median) $82,860

75th percentile $95,870

90th (experienced) $103,150

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

checklist Oregon requirements

Licensing body	Oregon Board of Massage Therapists
State license	Required
Education	625-hour training program
Exam	Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or CESI, and Oregon Jurisprudence Exam ($265)
Application fee	$135
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	25.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires a background check with electronic fingerprinting ($47.25 processing fee to OBMT, plus a $12.50 fee to Fieldprint). Must be at least 18 years of age. Requires current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Initial license fee varies ($135-$270) based on renewal date.

Source: Oregon 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_circleOregon 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 are the steps to becoming a massage therapist in Oregon? expand_more

To become a massage therapist in Oregon, you need to complete the required education (625-hour training program), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or CESI, and Oregon Jurisprudence Exam, and submit your application ($135 fee).

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

A state license is required in Oregon. Oregon Board of Massage Therapists handles massage therapist licensing — the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or CESI, and Oregon Jurisprudence Exam is part of the process.

How much does a massage therapist make in Oregon? expand_more

Oregon massage therapists bring home a median salary of $82,860. This exceeds the $57,950 national median by 43%. The range spans from $45,910 at the entry level to $103,150 for top earners.

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

Between exam fee ($265) and application fee ($135), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

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

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

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

To keep your license active, Oregon mandates 25.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.