How to Become a Massage Therapist in Montana (2026)
Montana employs about 200 massage therapists earning a median $53,540 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 Board of Massage Therapy.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Montana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrington College-Boise | 76.4 | Contact school for pricing | $57,082 | 62% | Yes* | 343 mi |
| 2 | Bridgerland Technical College | 73.8 | Contact school for pricing | $42,070 | 75% | Yes* | 359 mi |
| 3 | Williston State College | 70.1 | $6,128 | $54,746 | 42% | Yes* | 354 mi |
| 4 | Northern Wyoming Community College District | 60.3 | $4,830 in-state / $11,130 out-of-state | $51,958 | 42% | Yes* | 243 mi |
| 5 | Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City | 52.9 | Contact school for pricing | $28,685 | 88% | — | 423 mi |
| 6 | Montana Academy of Salons | 52.0 | Contact school for pricing | $30,263 | 67% | — | 43 mi |
| 7 | Carrington College-Spokane | 51.2 | Contact school for pricing | $39,064 | 42% | Yes* | 299 mi |
| 8 | The Salon Professional Academy | 45.4 | Contact school for pricing | $35,007 | 79% | — | 424 mi |
| 9 | Integrated Massage Therapy Services | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $25,102 | 62% | — | 265 mi |
| 10 | Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology | 42.2 | Contact school for pricing | $24,130 | 96% | — | 389 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.
Montana employs approximately 200 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $53,540 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 Montana, 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: Board of Massage Therapy
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Montana): $53,540 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Montana
How to become a Massage Therapist in Montana? 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 Board of Massage Therapy.
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 Board of Massage Therapy.
Do I need a license in Montana? Yes. Montana credentials this role through Board of Massage Therapy 3. See the licensing section below.
What do massage therapists earn in Montana? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Montana is $53,540 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $25,020 and experienced professionals can earn $96,740 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Montana
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Board of Massage Therapy. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Board of Massage Therapy 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 Board of Massage Therapy.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Board of Massage Therapy 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 Montana
Massage therapists in Montana complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Board of Massage Therapy where the state licenses the trade. See Board of Massage Therapy 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Board of Massage Therapy.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Massage Therapy before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Montana
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Montana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists wages in Montana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 40 | $42,090 | $48,080 | $21,940 | $86,250 |
| Bozeman | 40 | $85,670 | $72,260 | $23,230 | $97,840 |
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 Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 200 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 Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Massage Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Montana.
How much do massage therapists earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Montana is $53,540, which is $4,410 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Massage Therapy - Licensing Information: http://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/lmt ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |