Massage Therapist in Pennsylvania

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

Median annual salary

$57,660

trending_down -0.5% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Pennsylvania.

engineering

2,700

Jobs (PA)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$365

Licensing fees

schedule

6-12 months

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in Pennsylvania

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Pennsylvania, individuals must complete a 600-hour training program from a Board-approved school and pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). Applicants must also be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, possess current CPR certification, and undergo a criminal history records check. Pennsylvania offers licensure by reciprocity for those licensed in other states with comparable requirements, and Act 41 of 2019 allows for case-by-case consideration for applicants from other jurisdictions.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $27,820

25th percentile $47,880

50th (median) $57,660

75th percentile $72,060

90th (experienced) $91,140

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

checklist Pennsylvania requirements

Licensing body	Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy
State license	Required
Education	600-hour training program
Exam	Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. Requires CPR certification and a criminal history records check. CE must include 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting and 4 hours in ethics. 16 of the 24 CE hours must be live (in-person) contact hours. 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting is required for initial licensure.

Source: Pennsylvania State 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_circlePennsylvania license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+15.4%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

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Frequently asked questions

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

To become a massage therapist in Pennsylvania, you need to complete the required education (600-hour training program), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and submit your application ($100 fee).

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

Yes, Pennsylvania requires a state license to practice as a massage therapist. The licensing body is Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy. You must pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).

How much do massage therapists make in Pennsylvania? expand_more

The median massage therapist salary in Pennsylvania is $57,660 per year. That's roughly in line with the $57,950 national median. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $27,820, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $91,140.

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

Between exam fee ($265) and application fee ($100), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

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

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

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

Pennsylvania requires 24.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your massage therapist license.

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