How to Become A Massage Therapist in Connecticut
Connecticut employs approximately 700 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,260 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 Connecticut, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Connecticut
How do I become a massage therapist in Connecticut? Connecticut requires credentials such as Massage Therapist, Massage Therapist Temp Permit. The licensing authority is the Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 60 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Connecticut? Yes. Connecticut has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in Connecticut? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Connecticut is $62,260 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,010 and experienced professionals can earn $97,870 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: Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section
- Median wage (Connecticut): $62,260 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Massage Therapist License Requirements in Connecticut
The Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section oversees massage therapist licensing in Connecticut 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | Licensing Requirements An applicant for licensure must meet the eligibility requirements outlined below: Graduation from a school of massage therapy offering a course of study of not less than seven h… |
| Massage Therapist Temp Permit | A recent graduate of an approved massage therapy educational program may apply for a temporary permit which authorizes the holder to practice as a massage therapist under the supervision of a Connecti… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Connecticut vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 250 | $50,860 | $60,950 | $34,920 | $93,470 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | 190 | $73,540 | $69,130 | $35,430 | $98,610 |
| New Haven | 100 | $63,160 | $61,730 | $34,010 | $92,470 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | 70 | $61,870 | $62,670 | $34,010 | $98,580 |
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 Connecticut
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Connecticut according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | 250 | $50,860 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | 190 | $73,540 |
| New Haven | 100 | $63,160 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | 70 | $61,870 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven.
Explore More Trades in Connecticut
- Electrician in Connecticut
- Plumber in Connecticut
- HVAC Technician in Connecticut
- Welder in Connecticut
- Carpenter in Connecticut
- Solar Installation Technician in Connecticut
- Auto Mechanic in Connecticut
- CNC Machinist in Connecticut
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Connecticut
- Medical Assistant in Connecticut
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Connecticut? Connecticut currently employs approximately 700 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 Connecticut with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Connecticut? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Connecticut.
How much do massage therapists earn in Connecticut compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Connecticut is $62,260, which is $4,310 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section - Licensing Information: https://www.dph.state.ct.us/licensure/licensure.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |