How to Become a Massage Therapist in Nevada (2026)
Nevada employs about 1,620 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 Therapists.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Nevada
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zion Massage College | 63.8 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 91% | — | 198 mi |
| 2 | Truckee Meadows Community College | 63.0 | $3,352 in-state / $12,018 out-of-state | $55,261 | 32% | Yes* | 184 mi |
| 3 | Southern California Health Institute | 51.0 | Contact school for pricing | $35,921 | 87% | — | 271 mi |
| 4 | Northwest Career College | 49.7 | Contact school for pricing | $36,673 | 68% | Yes* | 158 mi |
| 5 | San Bernardino Beauty College | 49.2 | Contact school for pricing | $16,986 | 75% | — | 266 mi |
| 6 | Casal Institute of Nevada | 48.4 | Contact school for pricing | $30,042 | 70% | — | 168 mi |
| 7 | College of Southern Nevada | 46.6 | $4,358 in-state / $13,024 out-of-state | $51,080 | 19% | Yes* | 161 mi |
| 8 | Carrington College-Stockton | 41.0 | Contact school for pricing | $47,661 | 54% | — | 230 mi |
| 9 | Milan Institute-Sparks | 35.9 | Contact school for pricing | $33,999 | 62% | — | 181 mi |
| 10 | Milan Institute-Visalia | 35.5 | Contact school for pricing | $33,999 | 51% | — | 169 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.
Nevada employs approximately 1,620 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $53,540 1. The state’s concentration of massage therapist jobs is 1.64x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Nevada, 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 Therapists
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Nevada): $53,540 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Nevada
How to become a Massage Therapist in Nevada? 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 Therapists.
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 Therapists.
Do I need a license in Nevada? Yes. Nevada credentials this role through Board of Massage Therapists 3. See the licensing section below.
What do massage therapists earn in Nevada? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Nevada is $53,540 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $25,230 and experienced professionals can earn $121,980 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Nevada
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Board of Massage Therapists. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement Board of Massage Therapists 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 Therapists.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to Board of Massage Therapists 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 Nevada
Massage therapists in Nevada complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to Board of Massage Therapists where the state licenses the trade. See Board of Massage Therapists 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to Board of Massage Therapists.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Board of Massage Therapists before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Nevada
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Nevada
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists wages in Nevada vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas | 1,390 | $53,540 | $63,090 | $25,590 | $123,800 |
| Reno | 200 | $47,560 | $44,710 | $24,960 | $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 Nevada? Nevada currently employs approximately 1,620 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 Nevada with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Massage Therapists for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Nevada? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Nevada.
How much do massage therapists earn in Nevada compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Nevada is $53,540, which is $4,410 below the national median of $57,950 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In Nevada
Top local programs
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Boulder City, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Carson City, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Elko, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Fallon, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Fernley, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Henderson, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Las Vegas, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Mesquite, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in North Las Vegas, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Reno, Nevada (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Sparks, Nevada (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in Nevada (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in Nevada
- Best HVAC Schools in Nevada (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in Nevada
- Best Plumbing Schools in Nevada (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in Nevada
Explore More Trades in Nevada
- Electrician in Nevada
- Plumber in Nevada
- HVAC Technician in Nevada
- Welder in Nevada
- Carpenter in Nevada
- Solar Installation Technician in Nevada
- Auto Mechanic in Nevada
- CNC Machinist in Nevada
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Nevada
- Medical Assistant in Nevada
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 Therapists - Licensing Information: http://massagetherapy.nv.gov ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |