How to Become a Massage Therapist in District of Columbia (2026)
District of Columbia employs about 120 massage therapists earning a median $64,110 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 Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in District of Columbia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anne Arundel Community College | 63.3 | $4,322 in-state / $11,522 out-of-state | $55,889 | 31% | Yes* | 29 mi |
| 2 | Northern Virginia Community College | 62.5 | $5,891 in-state / $12,409 out-of-state | $57,487 | 33% | Yes* | 12 mi |
| 3 | Eastern Virginia Career College | 62.3 | Contact school for pricing | $55,957 | 66% | — | 48 mi |
| 4 | Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | $32,996 | Not reported | — | 8 mi |
| 5 | Avi Career Training | 61.3 | Contact school for pricing | $26,411 | 86% | — | 15 mi |
| 6 | Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork | 59.1 | Contact school for pricing | $34,264 | 70% | — | 87 mi |
| 7 | Aveda Institute-Maryland | 56.6 | Contact school for pricing | $25,463 | 97% | — | 56 mi |
| 8 | College of Southern Maryland | 53.7 | $4,200 in-state / $10,050 out-of-state | $58,851 | 33% | Yes* | 25 mi |
| 9 | Columbia College | 52.0 | Contact school for pricing | $29,040 | 80% | Yes* | 13 mi |
| 10 | Cortiva Institute | 34.8 | Contact school for pricing | $34,762 | 70% | — | 28 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.
District of Columbia employs approximately 120 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $64,110 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 District of Columbia, 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: Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (District of Columbia): $64,110 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in District of Columbia
How to become a Massage Therapist in District of Columbia? 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 Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.
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 Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.
Do I need a license in District of Columbia? Yes. District of Columbia credentials this role through Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration 3. See the licensing section below.
What do massage therapists earn in District of Columbia? The median annual wage for massage therapists in District of Columbia is $64,110 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,130 and experienced professionals can earn $134,110 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in District of Columbia
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration 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 Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration 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 District of Columbia
Massage therapists in District of Columbia complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration where the state licenses the trade. See Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in District of Columbia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists wages in District of Columbia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 1,540 | $65,220 | $78,260 | $46,140 | $132,250 |
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 District of Columbia? District of Columbia currently employs approximately 120 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 District of Columbia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in District of Columbia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in District of Columbia.
How much do massage therapists earn in District of Columbia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in District of Columbia is $64,110, which is $6,160 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health - Health Regulation Administration - Licensing Information: https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/professional-license-applications ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |