How to Become A Massage Therapist in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 1,690 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,070 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 Minnesota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Minnesota
How do I become a massage therapist in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Massage Therapy. The licensing authority is the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice 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 Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Minnesota is $63,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,320 and experienced professionals can earn $97,870 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: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice
- Median wage (Minnesota): $63,070 per year 1
Massage Therapist License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice oversees massage therapist licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapy | A person who will be providing unlicensed complementary or alternative health care services, must comply with Minn. Stats. Chapter 146A. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 1,290 | $75,340 | $74,260 | $46,950 | $111,890 |
| Duluth | 90 | $59,550 | $64,420 | $44,130 | $86,420 |
| Rochester | 80 | $56,220 | $59,010 | $24,410 | $91,630 |
| Sioux Falls | 70 | $53,920 | $47,220 | $36,350 | $54,960 |
| Fargo | 60 | $74,140 | $74,010 | $44,910 | $92,250 |
| St. Cloud | 50 | $51,760 | $50,460 | $23,150 | $77,730 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 50 | $61,050 | $61,180 | $19,350 | $86,060 |
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 Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 1,290 | $75,340 |
| Duluth | 90 | $59,550 |
| Rochester | 80 | $56,220 |
| St. Cloud | 50 | $51,760 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Minneapolis, Duluth, and Rochester.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 1,690 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 Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.
How much do massage therapists earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Minnesota is $63,070, which is $5,120 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice - Licensing Information: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/providers/compalt/index.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) |