"How long does it take to become a massage therapist in Alabama?"

"The primary Alabama license requires approximately 650 hours of qualifying experience, which is roughly 0.3 years of full-time work."

"Do massage therapists need a license in Alabama?"

"Yes. Alabama requires state-level licensing or registration for massage therapists, administered by the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for massage therapists in Alabama?"

"In Alabama, apprenticeships are typically registered through state apprenticeship agencies and trade union locals. See the apprenticeship section above for current contact information."

How to Become A Massage Therapist in Alabama

Q: "How much do massage therapists earn in Alabama?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), massage therapists in Alabama earned a median annual wage of approximately $48,930. Employment concentration in Alabama is roughly 0.45 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Alabama?"

"Alabama currently employs approximately 600 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alabama massage therapists earn a median annual wage of $48,930 ($23.52/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 600 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -16.3% below the national median of $58,450 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $48,930 ($23.52/hr)
25th percentile: $28,010 per year
75th percentile: $79,170 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $91,260 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $22,250 per year
Workers employed in Alabama: 600
Versus national median: -16.3% below the U.S. median of $58,450
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.45 - this occupation is less concentrated in Alabama than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alabama employs approximately 600 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,930 ¹. Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 15.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 24,700 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a massage therapist in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Alabama

How do I become a massage therapist in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Licensed Massage Therapist. The licensing authority is the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 650 hours of experience (roughly 0.3 years of full-time work) ³.

Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Alabama Board of Massage Therapy oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do massage therapists earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Alabama is $48,930 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,250 and experienced professionals can earn $91,260 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Alabama Board of Massage Therapy
Median wage (Alabama): $48,930 per year ¹

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Alabama

The Alabama Board of Massage Therapy oversees massage therapist licensing in Alabama ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Licensed Massage Therapist	This applicant should be at least 19 years of age and be a citizen of the United States; Must have successfully completed a minimum of 650 hours from an accredited massage therapy school and be certif…

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Alabama

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Alabama vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Huntsville	70	$49,410	$61,430	$23,440	$97,530
Mobile	70	$28,010	$43,120	$22,190	$82,470
Montgomery	70	$58,750	$61,670	$23,170	$102,700
Tuscaloosa	40	$49,560	$57,500	$22,050	$99,450
Auburn-Opelika	30	$46,060	$48,650	$21,720	$81,810
Daphne-Fairhope-Foley	30	$60,160	$59,810	$26,290	$90,970

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Massage therapists in Alabama

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Huntsville	70	$49,410
Mobile	70	$28,010
Montgomery	70	$58,750
Tuscaloosa	40	$49,560
Auburn-Opelika	30	$46,060

Explore massage therapist programs in Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery.

Explore More Trades in Alabama

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 600 massage therapists ¹. Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 15.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a massage therapist in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.

How much do massage therapists earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Alabama is $48,930, which is $9,020 below the national median of $57,950 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama Board of Massage Therapy - Licensing Information: https://www.almtbd.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)