How to Become a Massage Therapist in Nebraska (2026)

Q: How long does massage therapist training take in Nebraska?

Most people become a Massage Therapist in Nebraska through a board-approved massage program that meets this state's hour requirement, an exam (often MBLEx), and a state massage license where required.

Q: How much do massage therapists earn in Nebraska?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), massage therapists in Nebraska earned a median annual wage of approximately $53,950. Employment concentration in Nebraska is roughly 0.42 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: Do massage therapists need a license in Nebraska?

Yes. Nebraska requires state-level licensing or registration for massage therapists, administered by the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Nebraska?

Nebraska currently employs approximately 270 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Nebraska massage therapists earn a median annual wage of $53,950 ($25.94/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 270 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.7% below the national median of $58,450 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $53,950 ($25.94/hr)
25th percentile: $50,630 per year
75th percentile: $83,440 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $93,390 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $47,360 per year
Workers employed in Nebraska: 270
Versus national median: -7.7% below the U.S. median of $58,450
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.42 - this occupation is less concentrated in Nebraska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Nebraska employs about 270 massage therapists earning a median $53,950 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 Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.

Key Facts

Median wage (Nebraska): $53,950/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Nebraska: 270 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.42x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 15.4% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
Licensing/credentialing body: Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services (Source: State licensing agency, 2025)

Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Nebraska

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Aveda Institute-Des Moines	65.3	Contact school for pricing	$34,296	93%	—	169 mi
2	Stewart School	62.1	Contact school for pricing	$35,397	87%	—	175 mi
3	Iowa Lakes Community College	59.8	Contact school for pricing	$47,158	Not reported	Yes*	197 mi
4	Universal College of Healing Arts	58.2	$11,822 - $24,110	$25,738	Not reported	—	57 mi
5	La James International College-Johnston	54.3	Contact school for pricing	$29,151	Not reported	—	174 mi
6	WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City	52.0	Contact school for pricing	$32,078	65%	—	190 mi
7	WellSpring School of Allied Health-Lawrence	48.4	Contact school for pricing	$32,078	92%	—	170 mi
8	PCI Academy-Ames	48.2	Contact school for pricing	$37,914	68%	—	187 mi
9	La James International College-Ft Dodge	47.5	Contact school for pricing	$27,778	Not reported	—	177 mi
10	Iowa School of Beauty-Des Moines	44.3	Contact school for pricing	$26,176	Not reported	—	178 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.

Nebraska employs approximately 270 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $53,950 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 Nebraska, 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: Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services
Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
Median wage (Nebraska): $53,950 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Nebraska

How to become a Massage Therapist in Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.

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 Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.

Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska credentials this role through Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services ³. See the licensing section below.

What do massage therapists earn in Nebraska? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Nebraska is $53,950 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,360 and experienced professionals can earn $93,390 or more ¹.

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Nebraska

Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services 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 Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.
Apply for the massage license. Apply to Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services 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 Nebraska

Massage therapists in Nebraska complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services where the state licenses the trade. See Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services ³.

Typical path

Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services before you enroll.

Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska

Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	210	$51,950	$61,580	$45,050	$96,050
Lincoln	40	$65,860	$70,520	$47,770	$93,390
Sioux City	30	$61,890	$60,300	$44,760	$64,250

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 Nebraska? Nebraska currently employs approximately 270 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 Nebraska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Nebraska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Nebraska.

How much do massage therapists earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Nebraska is $53,950, which is $4,000 below the national median of $57,950 according to BLS data ¹.

In Nebraska

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Licensing Information: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/professions-and-occupations.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)