How to Become A Massage Therapist in Washington
Washington employs approximately 3,740 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $87,360 1. The state’s concentration of massage therapist jobs is 1.66x 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 Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in Washington
How do I become a massage therapist in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Massage Practitioner, Animal Massage. The licensing authority is the Department of Health 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 Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The Department of Health oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in Washington? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Washington is $87,360 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $61,850 and experienced professionals can earn $115,800 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
- Median wage (Washington): $87,360 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Massage Therapist License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Health oversees massage therapist licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage Practitioner | Individuals must have completed a Washington State Board of Massage-approved education programand have successfully passed the national examination offered by either the National Certification Board f… |
| Animal Massage | Individuals must successfully complete a 300-hour approved training program, successfully complete a qualifying examination and fill out the required application form. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 2,230 | $94,220 | $92,510 | $65,850 | $128,500 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 1,580 | $84,730 | $82,840 | $50,710 | $103,650 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 1,540 | $65,220 | $78,260 | $46,140 | $132,250 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 370 | $77,150 | $75,380 | $60,850 | $96,520 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 200 | $78,320 | $77,650 | $35,740 | $113,570 |
| Bellingham | 140 | $83,790 | $86,250 | $60,950 | $115,630 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 80 | $79,950 | $79,810 | $61,210 | $96,270 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 70 | $81,030 | $82,110 | $63,070 | $99,260 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 60 | $82,690 | $83,450 | $37,060 | $118,320 |
| Yakima | 60 | $84,100 | $87,000 | $69,570 | $105,450 |
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 Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 2,230 | $94,220 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 370 | $77,150 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 200 | $78,320 |
| Bellingham | 140 | $83,790 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 80 | $79,950 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Seattle, Spokane, and Olympia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 3,740 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 Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do massage therapists earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Washington is $87,360, which is $29,410 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 - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |