How to Become A Massage Therapist in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 1,480 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $55,590 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 Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Indiana
How do I become a massage therapist in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Massage Therapist. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Indiana is $55,590 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,140 and experienced professionals can earn $83,140 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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy
- Median wage (Indiana): $55,590 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Massage Therapist License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy oversees massage therapist licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | 847 IAC 1-3-1 (a) In order to be certified as a massage therapist, all applicants for certification must do the following: (1) File a completed application in the form and manner required by the board… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Indiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 3,890 | $61,200 | $60,770 | $33,770 | $83,000 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 660 | $56,850 | $62,770 | $39,610 | $86,800 |
| Cincinnati | 440 | $55,990 | $60,080 | $45,970 | $98,010 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 380 | $68,230 | $69,700 | $46,080 | $95,290 |
| Fort Wayne | 120 | $54,470 | $59,920 | $38,140 | $79,230 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 80 | $47,090 | $53,980 | $38,120 | $78,150 |
| Evansville | 60 | $52,560 | $60,820 | $46,660 | $83,200 |
| Terre Haute | 50 | $44,830 | $51,090 | $36,100 | $63,070 |
| Bloomington | 40 | $41,350 | $44,530 | $31,880 | $65,620 |
| Kokomo | 40 | $57,060 | $54,350 | $39,370 | $72,990 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 30 | $73,260 | $69,290 | $38,970 | $79,990 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 660 | $56,850 |
| Fort Wayne | 120 | $54,470 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 80 | $47,090 |
| Evansville | 60 | $52,560 |
| Terre Haute | 50 | $44,830 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend.
Explore More Trades in Indiana
- Electrician in Indiana
- Plumber in Indiana
- HVAC Technician in Indiana
- Welder in Indiana
- Carpenter in Indiana
- Solar Installation Technician in Indiana
- Auto Mechanic in Indiana
- CNC Machinist in Indiana
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Indiana
- Medical Assistant in Indiana
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 1,480 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 Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do massage therapists earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Indiana is $55,590, which is $2,360 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/pla/massage.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) |