How to Become A Massage Therapist in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 2,410 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $70,960 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 Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Michigan
How do I become a massage therapist in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Massage Therapist. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 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 Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Michigan is $70,960 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,610 and experienced professionals can earn $89,950 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Median wage (Michigan): $70,960 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Massage Therapist License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees massage therapist licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | Massage therapy licensees must graduate from an approved massage therapy supervised curriculum and pass a national certification exam. The license fee is $100.75. |
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 Michigan
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 1,310 | $70,960 | $65,630 | $33,820 | $89,510 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 350 | $68,470 | $63,500 | $27,110 | $82,770 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 130 | $74,880 | $69,730 | $44,150 | $90,810 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 80 | $47,090 | $53,980 | $38,120 | $78,150 |
| Ann Arbor | 80 | $60,370 | $57,950 | $25,960 | $77,550 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 60 | $50,010 | $57,450 | $32,610 | $88,300 |
| Saginaw | 50 | $66,090 | $59,240 | $25,960 | $74,180 |
| Niles | 40 | $69,580 | $70,770 | $34,720 | $104,000 |
| Flint | 30 | $72,100 | $65,640 | $46,520 | $85,560 |
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 Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 1,310 | $70,960 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 350 | $68,470 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 130 | $74,880 |
| Ann Arbor | 80 | $60,370 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 60 | $50,010 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 2,410 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 Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan.
How much do massage therapists earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Michigan is $70,960, which is $13,010 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |