How to Become A Massage Therapist in Missouri

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs approximately 1,500 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,050 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 Missouri, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Missouri

How do I become a massage therapist in Missouri? Missouri requires credentials such as Massage Therapist. The licensing authority is the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience 3.

Do I need a license in Missouri? Yes. Missouri has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do massage therapists earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Missouri is $62,050 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,680 and experienced professionals can earn $101,900 or more 1.

At a Glance

Massage Therapist License Requirements in Missouri

The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage oversees massage therapist licensing in Missouri 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
Massage TherapistAn applicant for licensure shall; be at least 18 years of age, be of good moral character, pay fees, and submit evidence of having completed a statistically valid examination approved by the board or…

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 Missouri

Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Missouri vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
St. Louis1,010$59,020$65,010$43,680$96,310
Kansas City650$55,810$66,590$43,480$101,720
Springfield120$66,150$74,930$44,630$111,890

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 Missouri

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
St. Louis1,010$59,020
Kansas City650$55,810
Springfield120$66,150

Explore massage therapist programs in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield.

Explore More Trades in Missouri

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 1,500 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 Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri.

How much do massage therapists earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Missouri is $62,050, which is $4,100 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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Missouri State Board of Therapeutic Massage - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/massage.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)