How to Become a Massage Therapist in California (2026)
California employs about 14,600 massage therapists earning a median $45,970 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Massage Therapist here means completing a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required, then applying through California Massage Therapy Council.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victory Career College | 74.6 | Contact school for pricing | $17,569 | 88% | — | 131 mi |
| 2 | Universal Healthcare Careers College | 58.7 | Contact school for pricing | $30,189 | 90% | — | 119 mi |
| 3 | Fremont University | 54.4 | Contact school for pricing | $39,626 | 36% | Yes* | 135 mi |
| 4 | Downey Adult School | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $39,366 | 46% | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 5 | Southern California Health Institute | 51.0 | Contact school for pricing | $35,921 | 84% | — | 109 mi |
| 6 | Los Angeles College of Aesthetics | 43.4 | Contact school for pricing | $19,612 | Not reported | — | 118 mi |
| 7 | North-West College-West Covina | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $39,201 | 66% | — | 130 mi |
| 8 | North-West College-Pomona | 42.8 | Contact school for pricing | $40,350 | 67% | — | 138 mi |
| 9 | North-West College-Anaheim | 40.1 | Contact school for pricing | $40,350 | 61% | — | 142 mi |
| 10 | Milan Institute-Visalia | 35.5 | Contact school for pricing | $33,999 | 50% | — | 59 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
California employs approximately 14,600 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,970 1. The state’s concentration of massage therapist jobs is 1.26x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 California, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: board-approved massage therapy program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required
- Licensing authority: California Massage Therapy Council
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (California): $45,970 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in California
How to become a Massage Therapist in California? Complete a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required. Apply through California Massage Therapy Council.
How long does it take? Most people finish a board-approved massage program that meets this state’s hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and California Massage Therapy Council.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California credentials this role through California Massage Therapy Council 3. See the licensing section below.
What do massage therapists earn in California? The median annual wage for massage therapists in California is $45,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,320 and experienced professionals can earn $89,880 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in California
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with California Massage Therapy Council. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement California Massage Therapy Council publishes. Confirm the current total with the board. This is not a DAS registered apprenticeship.
- Pass MBLEx or the state exam. Most states use MBLEx. Confirm with California Massage Therapy Council.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to California Massage Therapy Council before taking paying clients where the state licenses massage.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Massage Therapist License Requirements in California
Massage therapists in California complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to California Massage Therapy Council where the state licenses the trade. See California Massage Therapy Council 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to California Massage Therapy Council.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with California Massage Therapy Council before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in California
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 5,680 | $43,530 | $52,130 | $34,320 | $78,320 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 1,820 | $45,200 | $59,940 | $34,320 | $91,310 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 1,800 | $40,280 | $56,920 | $36,930 | $95,500 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,330 | $44,760 | $55,960 | $34,320 | $96,240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 720 | $51,980 | $55,760 | $34,550 | $89,510 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 680 | $50,060 | $59,870 | $37,840 | $97,510 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 310 | $50,620 | $58,190 | $35,460 | $100,050 |
| Napa | 250 | $39,330 | $49,140 | $34,700 | $95,120 |
| Salinas | 240 | $61,400 | $75,230 | $34,820 | $150,700 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 210 | $50,240 | $59,220 | $34,320 | $103,310 |
| Fresno | 190 | $49,290 | $53,070 | $34,320 | $78,930 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 170 | $43,920 | $55,310 | $34,320 | $95,350 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 140 | $45,400 | $52,600 | $34,320 | $90,630 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 120 | $60,640 | $66,080 | $34,470 | $109,890 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 110 | $58,050 | $70,040 | $35,190 | $113,710 |
| Vallejo | 100 | $58,870 | $58,570 | $36,520 | $96,120 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 90 | $57,300 | $58,100 | $35,580 | $88,470 |
| Modesto | 60 | $45,360 | $52,200 | $34,320 | $72,870 |
| Chico | 40 | $63,290 | $69,110 | $43,490 | $100,070 |
| Redding | 40 | $50,690 | $52,360 | $34,320 | $87,490 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in California? California currently employs approximately 14,600 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 California with an out-of-state license? Contact the California Massage Therapy Council for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do massage therapists earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in California is $45,970, which is $11,980 below the national median of $57,950 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
California Massage Therapy Council - Licensing Information: https://www.camtc.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |