Massage Therapist in West Virginia

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

Median annual salary

$42,730

trending_down -26.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, West Virginia.

engineering

270

Jobs (WV)

monitoring Surging

+15.4%

10-yr job growth

payments

$315

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (application processing 10-14 business days)

Time to complete

route How to become a massage therapist in West Virginia

To become a licensed Massage Therapist in West Virginia, applicants must obtain a license from the West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board. Key steps include completing a massage therapy education program of at least 500-600 hours, passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and submitting a notarized application with a $50 application fee and a $300 initial license fee. A state and federal criminal background check is required, and applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. West Virginia offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $23,270

25th percentile $27,720

50th (median) $42,730

75th percentile $58,640

90th (experienced) $71,740

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

checklist West Virginia requirements

Licensing body	West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board
State license	Required
Education	500-600 hours of supervised academic instruction
Exam	Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) ($265)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Requires a state and federal criminal background check. Minimum age of 18 and a high school diploma or GED are required. 3 of the 24 CE hours must be in professional ethics. Up to 6 CE hours may be carried over from the previous cycle.

Source: West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board

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_circleWest Virginia 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 West Virginia? expand_more

West Virginia requires massage therapists to complete the required education (500-600 hours of supervised academic instruction), pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and submit your application ($50 fee).

Is a massage therapist license required in West Virginia? expand_more

West Virginia mandates state licensure for massage therapists. West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board oversees the process, which includes passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).

What is the average massage therapist salary in West Virginia? expand_more

West Virginia massage therapists bring home a median salary of $42,730. This trails the $57,950 national median by 26%. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $23,270, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $71,740.

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

Between exam fee ($265) and application fee ($50), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How many months or years does massage therapist certification take in West Virginia? expand_more

Most candidates in West Virginia complete the process in Varies (application processing 10-14 business days), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Does West Virginia require continuing education for massage therapists? expand_more

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