How to Become a Massage Therapist in Indiana (2026)
Indiana employs about 1,480 massage therapists earning a median $55,590 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 Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Indiana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universal Spa Training Academy | 70.7 | Contact school for pricing | $36,558 | 97% | — | 136 mi |
| 2 | Soma Institute-The National School of Clinical Massage Therapy | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | $33,882 | Not reported | Yes* | 128 mi |
| 3 | Moraine Valley Community College | 60.0 | $3,822 in-state / $9,846 out-of-state | $51,357 | 40% | Yes* | 125 mi |
| 4 | Gateway Community and Technical College | 55.7 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $47,990 | 59% | Yes* | 126 mi |
| 5 | Lake Land College | 53.4 | $4,415 in-state / $14,301 out-of-state | $48,594 | 58% | — | 134 mi |
| 6 | Morton College | 49.6 | $5,502 in-state / $12,414 out-of-state | $46,999 | 31% | — | 129 mi |
| 7 | Ivy Tech Community College | 49.2 | $5,154 in-state / $9,935 out-of-state | $53,369 | 40% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 8 | Parkland College | 40.9 | $4,284 in-state / $13,266 out-of-state | $47,315 | 32% | — | 112 mi |
| 9 | Dayton School of Medical Massage | 37.5 | $18,122 | $27,958 | 73% | — | 117 mi |
| 10 | Summit Salon Academy-Kokomo | 29.9 | Contact school for pricing | $29,283 | 68% | — | 8 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.
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.
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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Indiana): $55,590 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Indiana
How to become a Massage Therapist in Indiana? 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 Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy.
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 Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana credentials this role through Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy 3. See the licensing section below.
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.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Indiana
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy 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 Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy 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 Indiana
Massage therapists in Indiana complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy where the state licenses the trade. See Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Massage Therapy - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/pla/massage.htm ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |