How to Become a Massage Therapist in New York (2026)
New York employs about 4,500 massage therapists earning a median $62,630 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 NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in New York
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Queensborough Community College | 65.6 | Contact school for pricing | $45,408 | 23% | Yes* | 44 mi |
| 2 | Lackawanna College | 58.2 | Contact school for pricing | $45,609 | 37% | Yes* | 78 mi |
| 3 | New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants | 50.5 | Contact school for pricing | $38,878 | 64% | — | 41 mi |
| 4 | Northampton County Area Community College | 50.3 | Contact school for pricing | $49,408 | 22% | Yes* | 75 mi |
| 5 | Essex County College | 43.1 | $5,415 - $12,506 | $48,042 | 20% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 6 | Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences | 32.9 | Contact school for pricing | $47,162 | 60% | — | 40 mi |
| 7 | American Institute-Clifton | 31.8 | Contact school for pricing | $36,918 | 56% | — | 30 mi |
| 8 | American Institute-Somerset | 28.7 | Contact school for pricing | $36,918 | 51% | — | 57 mi |
| 9 | Mildred Elley-New York Campus | 27.8 | Contact school for pricing | $44,844 | 32% | — | 42 mi |
| 10 | Garden State Science and Technology Institute | 11.7 | Contact school for pricing | $28,983 | 41% | — | 40 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.
New York employs approximately 4,500 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,630 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 New York, 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: NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (New York): $62,630 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in New York
How to become a Massage Therapist in New York? 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 NYS Education Department - State Board for 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 NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy.
Do I need a license in New York? Yes. New York credentials this role through NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy 3. See the licensing section below.
What do massage therapists earn in New York? The median annual wage for massage therapists in New York is $62,630 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,280 and experienced professionals can earn $110,210 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in New York
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement NYS Education Department - State Board for 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 NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to NYS Education Department - State Board for 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 New York
Massage therapists in New York complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy where the state licenses the trade. See NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in New York
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists wages in New York vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 5,420 | $50,600 | $61,880 | $33,280 | $99,920 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 210 | $61,830 | $63,080 | $32,240 | $91,560 |
| Rochester | 200 | $66,110 | $66,960 | $32,240 | $92,000 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 190 | $62,310 | $59,900 | $32,240 | $89,350 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 120 | $68,640 | $68,780 | $34,110 | $105,120 |
| Syracuse | 110 | $43,480 | $53,080 | $32,500 | $86,390 |
| Kingston | 60 | $77,150 | $84,270 | $33,970 | $131,450 |
| Ithaca | 40 | $80,340 | $74,090 | $60,320 | $90,030 |
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 New York? New York currently employs approximately 4,500 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 New York with an out-of-state license? Contact the NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New York.
How much do massage therapists earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in New York is $62,630, which is $4,680 above the national median of $57,950 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In New York
Top local programs
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Albany, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Amsterdam, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Auburn, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Binghamton, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Brockport, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Bronx, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Brooklyn, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Buffalo, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Cortland, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Dunkirk, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Elmira, New York (2026)
- Best Massage Therapy Schools in Freeport, New York (2026)
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in New York (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in New York
- Best HVAC Schools in New York (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in New York
- Best Plumbing Schools in New York (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in New York
Explore More Trades in New York
- Electrician in New York
- Plumber in New York
- HVAC Technician in New York
- Welder in New York
- Carpenter in New York
- Solar Installation Technician in New York
- Auto Mechanic in New York
- CNC Machinist in New York
- Certified Nursing Assistant in New York
- Medical Assistant in New York
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NYS Education Department - State Board for Massage Therapy - Licensing Information: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |