How to Become A Massage Therapist in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 2,730 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,220 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 Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Virginia
How do I become a massage therapist in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Massage Therapist. The licensing authority is the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Virginia is $62,220 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,070 and experienced professionals can earn $119,570 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing
- Median wage (Virginia): $62,220 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Massage Therapist License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing oversees massage therapist licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist | The Virginia Board of Nursing consists of a 14-member Board, a 5-member Massage Therapy Advisory Board, as well as administrative, licensing, discipline, education, and support staff. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 1,540 | $65,220 | $78,260 | $46,140 | $132,250 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 540 | $57,510 | $65,840 | $37,640 | $102,200 |
| Richmond | 490 | $57,730 | $68,850 | $39,720 | $98,910 |
| Charlottesville | 100 | $58,450 | $74,820 | $37,400 | $130,820 |
| Roanoke | 60 | $63,070 | $67,120 | $35,700 | $101,870 |
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 Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 540 | $57,510 |
| Richmond | 490 | $57,730 |
| Charlottesville | 100 | $58,450 |
| Roanoke | 60 | $63,070 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Charlottesville.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 2,730 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 Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do massage therapists earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Virginia is $62,220, which is $4,270 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
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Nursing - Licensing Information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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.
| 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) |