How to Become a Massage Therapist in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 2,410 massage therapists earning a median $70,960 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Michigan
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Salon Professional Academy of Holland | 68.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 81% | — | 79 mi |
| 2 | Carnegie Institute | 57.7 | $15,645 | $47,729 | 50% | — | 90 mi |
| 3 | Schoolcraft Community College District | 57.3 | $4,736 in-state / $8,142 out-of-state | $48,981 | 18% | Yes* | 83 mi |
| 4 | Bayshire Academy of Beauty Craft Inc | 56.5 | Contact school for pricing | $20,225 | 72% | — | 45 mi |
| 5 | Lansing Community College | 48.5 | $4,100 in-state / $11,300 out-of-state | $56,314 | 25% | Yes* | 34 mi |
| 6 | Elevate Salon Institute | 44.4 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 85% | — | 89 mi |
| 7 | Douglas J Aveda Institute | 43.0 | Contact school for pricing | $29,058 | 83% | — | 35 mi |
| 8 | The Salon Professional Academy-Battle Creek | 32.2 | Contact school for pricing | $26,750 | 80% | — | 71 mi |
| 9 | Dorsey College | 24.3 | $16,990 | $34,001 | 54% | — | 92 mi |
| 10 | Dorsey College-Saginaw | 22.1 | $16,990 | $34,001 | 65% | — | 37 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.
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.
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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Michigan): $70,960 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Michigan
How to become a Massage Therapist in Michigan? 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan credentials this role through Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 3. See the licensing section below.
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.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Michigan
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 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 Michigan
Massage therapists in Michigan complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing where the state licenses the trade. See Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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 ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |