With over 5,000 therapists employed, Texas is #3 state in the country for massage therapy jobs. It is a great state to become a massage therapist.
Steps to Become a Massage Therapist in Texas
- Take a 500 hour training course (see below)
- Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination
- Pass the Texas Jurisprudence Exam
- Apply for a Massage Therapy License from the TDLR.
Texas Massage Schools
Employers in Texas prefer candidates who have graduated from an approved massage therapy training program.
- Arlington
- Cypress, Houston, Kingwood, Conroe, Tomball, Katy, Magnolia, Spring
- Amarillo, Denton, El Paso, Houston, Plano, San Antonio
Cortiva Institute
Cortiva's Professional Massage Therapy diploma is a campus program of 600 clock hours (about eight months) in Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida, 750 hours in Maryland and 900 hours (11 months) in Connecticut. Students practise Swedish, deep tissue, sports, chair massage, hydrotherapy and reflexology and work in a student clinic, and Cortiva runs free MBLEx review sessions. Totals range from $13,939 at Arlington, TX (June 2026 tuition sheet) to $18,620 at Cromwell, CT (sheet dated January 2024).
Lone Star College
Massage Therapy is a 12-month credit Certificate Level I at LSC-North Harris, and North Harris also runs a continuing-education route of about nine months. Graduates take the FSMTB's MBLEx exam and apply to TDLR for a Texas massage therapist license. Credit tuition is $111 per credit hour for in-district residents and $249 for other Texans (2026-27). North Harris is the only Lone Star campus that teaches massage.
Milan Institute
Massage Therapy is taught at only five Milan campuses: Palm Desert and Visalia, CA; Sparks, NV; and Houston and San Antonio's Ingram Road campus, TX. The 34-week certificate (740 clock hours in the school's California filings) combines Eastern, Western and modern techniques, anatomy and spa business, includes CPR and First Aid certification, and ends with an internship in the school's student massage spa. The two California campuses are CAMTC-approved schools. Palm Desert reported five massage graduates in 2024, three of them placed in jobs.
How Long Does it Take?
A full time 500 hour program would take about 4 months. On a part time basis it would take about 6 months.
What Do You Study in Massage Therapy School?
Licensed massage therapy schools in Texas must provide following coursework:
- massage therapy techniques: 200 hours (including 125 hours of Swedish massage therapy)
- human anatomy: 50 hours
- physiology: 25 hours
- kinesiology: 50 hours
- pathology: 40 hours
- hydrotherapy: 20 hours
- massage therapy laws: 45 hours
- health, first aid & CPR: 20 hours
See the Texas Administrative Code for more information.
Accreditation
Massage therapy training programs are accredited by both the Texas State Board, along with an independent accrediting agency, The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). COMTA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the official accreditation body of massage therapy programs.
Texas Massage Therapy Licensing
Licensing is required to work as a massage therapist in Texas. Prospective massage therapists will need to apply for a license to practice after graduation from an approved training program.
Requirements for Licensing
Licensure will require that candidates pass a national certification exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage (NCMTMB) or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX), offered by the Federation of State Boards of Massage Therapy (FSBMT).
Licensing is an important step in becoming a massage therapist as it raises the standards of the profession.
Salary
The table below contains median earnings of Massage Therapists in areas of Texas:
| Area | Hourly | Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock | $26.00 | $54,070.00 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $20.20 | $42,020.00 |
| Corpus Christi | $19.92 | $41,430.00 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $23.53 | $48,940.00 |
| El Paso | $19.71 | $40,990.00 |
| Hill Country Region | $22.40 | $46,590.00 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land | $26.18 | $54,450.00 |
| Killeen-Temple | $21.21 | $44,120.00 |
| Lubbock | $23.18 | $48,210.00 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $18.01 | $37,450.00 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $24.07 | $50,070.00 |
| Tyler | $21.93 | $45,610.00 |
Occupation: Occupation:Massage Therapists (SOC Code319011)
Massage Therapist Job Description
What Do They Do?
In its most essential form, massage therapists use therapeutic touch to reduce tension in both muscles and soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy is in the category of “alternative health” and is the perfect career for those who value holistic health principles.
How They Work
There are over 80 different treatment methods in the field of massage therapy but most therapists focus on only one or two such as reflexology, Swedish massage or deep tissue massage.
The first session with a new patient is usually devoted to consultation with the therapist recording medical history and information about the pain or problem. If the therapist doesn’t work with the method that would be best for the patient’s condition, they will refer the case to a colleague who does focus on that specialty.
In most cases, treatment sessions last from about 30 minutes for minor aches and pains to over two hours for sports injuries.
Job Duties
Massage therapy involves rubbing oils, lotions and creams into affected muscles and tissues thereby releasing tension and build-up calcium deposits.
Where Can They Work?
Massage therapists may find employment in both private and public settings, such as:
- Massage Therapy Clinic: DEEP Relief in Austin offers specialized massage services.
- Sports Medicine Center: Texas Sports Medicine Center in Tomball provides comprehensive sports medicine services.
- Hospital: Memorial Hermann Health System operates multiple hospitals across Texas.
- Assisted Living and Nursing Facility: Brookdale Senior Living has numerous assisted living and nursing facilities throughout Texas.
- Chiropractic Office: The Joint Chiropractic has multiple locations across Texas, offering chiropractic care.
- Health Spa: The NOW Massage in Dallas provides various massage therapy services.
- Community-Based Clinic: Legacy Community Health operates clinics in Houston and other areas, offering a range of health services.
- Franchise Business: Massage Envy has numerous franchise locations offering massage and skincare services throughout Texas.
Job Prospects
Massage therapy is now recognized by many health care providers across different disciplines as being an important alternate to traditional medical treatment methods for a variety of health complaints.
Job prospects are great for those who wish to become massage therapists. As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapists are expected to grow at a much faster rate than most other occupations.
Growth will primarily stem from the growing appreciation from both the medical community and consumers regarding the value of massage therapy in fostering a healthy lifestyle.
Growth also arises from the growing number of massage therapy franchises and sports clinics.
Residents in long-term care facilities also value massage therapy to relieve unpleasant side effects of various chronic conditions, such as scoliosis (back pain) or arthritis. Finally, the field is gaining increased recognition due to the higher standards being implemented to become a Massage Therapist across all states.