How to Become a Massage Therapist in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota employs about 1,690 massage therapists earning a median $63,070 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 Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Minnesota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgewater College | 68.7 | $6,121 | $49,859 | 50% | Yes* | 80 mi |
| 2 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College | 64.5 | $5,908 | $54,581 | 47% | Yes* | 143 mi |
| 3 | Northwestern Health Sciences University | 64.1 | $12,015 | $44,615 | 0% | Yes* | 35 mi |
| 4 | The Salon Professional Academy-Onalaska | 62.6 | Contact school for pricing | $32,128 | 93% | — | 150 mi |
| 5 | Chippewa Valley Technical College | 61.2 | $4,844 in-state / $7,087 out-of-state | $57,493 | 50% | Yes* | 102 mi |
| 6 | Lake Superior College | 61.0 | $5,785 | $57,665 | 42% | Yes* | 117 mi |
| 7 | Iowa Lakes Community College | 59.8 | $7,392 in-state / $7,872 out-of-state | $47,158 | 50% | Yes* | 151 mi |
| 8 | Riverland Community College | 59.3 | $6,298 | $49,768 | 52% | Yes* | 118 mi |
| 9 | The Professional Hair Design Academy | 50.2 | Contact school for pricing | $30,327 | 76% | — | 104 mi |
| 10 | Saint Paul College | 48.2 | $6,326 | $52,870 | 40% | Yes* | 32 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.
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.
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: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Minnesota): $63,070 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Minnesota
How to become a Massage Therapist in Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice.
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 Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice.
Do I need a license in Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota credentials this role through Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice 3. See the licensing section below.
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.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Minnesota
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice 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 Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice 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 Minnesota
Massage therapists in Minnesota complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice where the state licenses the trade. See Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 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 .
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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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 ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |