Massage Therapist in Texas

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

Median annual salary

$56,540

trending_down -2.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.

engineering

7,780

Jobs (TX)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$365

Licensing fees

schedule

6-12 months for education, plus 4-8 weeks for application and exams

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in Texas

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in Texas, individuals must complete a minimum of 500 hours of massage therapy education from a TDLR-licensed school or an accredited out-of-state program. Applicants must pass either the national Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) along with the Texas Jurisprudence Exam, or the Texas State Massage Therapist Exam. Additionally, all applicants must be at least 18 years old, submit a license application with a fee, and undergo a fingerprint-based background check. Texas also offers a pathway for licensure by endorsement for those licensed in other states, provided they meet the educational and examination requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $29,500

25th percentile $45,880

50th (median) $56,540

75th percentile $61,820

90th (experienced) $85,160

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

checklist Texas requirements

Licensing body	Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
State license	Required
Education	500-hour training program
Exam	Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) AND Texas Jurisprudence Exam OR Texas State Massage Therapist Exam ($265)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	12.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. Requires fingerprinting for a background check. Must also complete a Texas Health and Human Services approved course on Human Trafficking, which does not count toward the 12 CE hours.

Source: Texas Department of Licensing and 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_circleTexas 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

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

To become a massage therapist in Texas, you need to complete the required education (500-hour training program), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) AND Texas Jurisprudence Exam OR Texas State Massage Therapist Exam, and submit your application ($100 fee).

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

A state license is required in Texas. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation handles massage therapist licensing — the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) AND Texas Jurisprudence Exam OR Texas State Massage Therapist Exam is part of the process.

How much do massage therapists make in Texas? expand_more

The median massage therapist salary in Texas is $56,540 per year. — within a few percent of the $57,950 national figure. New massage therapists start around $29,500; seasoned professionals can reach $85,160.

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

The full cost to enter the field runs about varies, factoring in exam fee ($265) and application fee ($100) and required training.

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

The typical timeline in Texas is 6-12 months for education, plus 4-8 weeks for application and exams. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

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

Yes — massage therapists in Texas must complete 12.0 CE hours every 2.0 years to stay licensed.