How to Become a Massage Therapist in Idaho (2026)
Idaho employs about 170 massage therapists earning a median $60,420 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 Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Idaho): $60,420/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Idaho: 170 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.31x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 15.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
- Licensing/credentialing body: Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)
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Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Idaho
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrington College-Boise | 76.4 | Contact school for pricing | $57,082 | 59% | Yes* | 95 mi |
| 2 | Bridgerland Technical College | 73.8 | Contact school for pricing | $42,070 | Not reported | Yes* | 228 mi |
| 3 | Montana Academy of Salons | 52.0 | Contact school for pricing | $30,263 | 71% | — | 271 mi |
| 4 | Carrington College-Spokane | 51.2 | Contact school for pricing | $39,064 | 44% | Yes* | 263 mi |
| 5 | Healing Mountain Massage School | 50.6 | Contact school for pricing | $27,310 | 88% | — | 284 mi |
| 6 | Aveda Institute-Provo | 50.1 | Contact school for pricing | $38,286 | 86% | — | 322 mi |
| 7 | Integrated Massage Therapy Services | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $25,102 | 85% | — | 139 mi |
| 8 | Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology | 42.2 | Contact school for pricing | $24,130 | 92% | — | 253 mi |
| 9 | Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy | 25.7 | Contact school for pricing | $31,183 | 37% | — | 325 mi |
| 10 | Myotherapy Massage College | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | $32,005 | 68% | — | 288 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.
Idaho employs approximately 170 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,420 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 Idaho, 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: Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Idaho): $60,420 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Idaho
How to become a Massage Therapist in Idaho? 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 Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
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 Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho credentials this role through Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses 3. See the licensing section below.
What do massage therapists earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Idaho is $60,420 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,360 and experienced professionals can earn $94,610 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Idaho
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses 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 Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses 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 Idaho
Massage therapists in Idaho complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses where the state licenses the trade. See Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists wages in Idaho vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene | 50 | $61,310 | $66,010 | $45,540 | $84,100 |
| Boise City | N/A | $60,420 | $65,130 | $43,590 | $76,740 |
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 Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 170 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 Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Idaho.
How much do massage therapists earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Idaho is $60,420, which is $2,470 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Idaho Board of Massage Therapy - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses - Licensing Information: http://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |