How to Become a Massage Therapist in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin employs about 1,520 massage therapists earning a median $58,070 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.
Compare Massage Therapist Schools in Wisconsin
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aveda Institute-Madison | 67.9 | Contact school for pricing | $35,085 | 97% | — | 45 mi |
| 2 | Fox Valley Technical College | 67.6 | $5,040 in-state / $7,283 out-of-state | $55,857 | 65% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 3 | The Institute of Beauty and Wellness | 67.4 | Contact school for pricing | $35,085 | 90% | — | 45 mi |
| 4 | Kishwaukee College | 66.2 | $4,560 in-state / $13,680 out-of-state | $49,273 | 45% | Yes* | 103 mi |
| 5 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | 62.5 | $4,960 in-state / $7,233 out-of-state | $54,887 | 51% | Yes* | 81 mi |
| 6 | William Rainey Harper College | 59.2 | $3,894 in-state / $11,874 out-of-state | $56,704 | 48% | Yes* | 96 mi |
| 7 | Madison Area Technical College | 59.1 | $4,977 in-state / $7,255 out-of-state | $55,207 | 29% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 8 | First Class Cosmetology School | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | $22,737 | 86% | — | 66 mi |
| 9 | First Institute of Travel, Inc. | 50.5 | Contact school for pricing | $35,671 | 72% | — | 84 mi |
| 10 | Elgin Community College | 50.2 | $3,252 in-state / $9,516 out-of-state | $54,220 | 41% | — | 98 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.
Wisconsin employs approximately 1,520 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,070 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 Wisconsin, 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: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Exam: MBLEx or the exam the board uses
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $58,070 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Massage Therapist in Wisconsin
How to become a Massage Therapist in Wisconsin? 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.
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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin credentials this role through WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3. See the licensing section below.
What do massage therapists earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Wisconsin is $58,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $20,280 and experienced professionals can earn $105,360 or more 1.
How to Become a Massage Therapist in Wisconsin
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
- Complete a board-approved massage program. Finish the hour requirement WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.
- Apply for the massage license. Apply to WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 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 Wisconsin
Massage therapists in Wisconsin complete board-approved hours, pass an exam (often MBLEx), and apply to WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing where the state licenses the trade. See WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3.
Typical path
Complete a board-approved program.
Pass MBLEx or the state exam.
Apply to WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing before you enroll.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), massage therapists wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 1,290 | $75,340 | $74,260 | $46,950 | $111,890 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 440 | $56,350 | $58,620 | $19,990 | $106,100 |
| Madison | 260 | $49,080 | $60,740 | $20,770 | $102,800 |
| Duluth | 90 | $59,550 | $64,420 | $44,130 | $86,420 |
| Green Bay | 90 | $59,630 | $62,410 | $20,030 | $118,030 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 70 | $60,840 | $63,560 | $32,090 | $90,750 |
| Appleton | 60 | $64,360 | $68,980 | $20,280 | $119,550 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 50 | $61,050 | $61,180 | $19,350 | $86,060 |
| Eau Claire | 40 | $43,480 | $54,450 | $19,160 | $100,300 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 40 | $64,740 | $68,010 | $32,870 | $118,960 |
| Sheboygan | 40 | $83,200 | $78,520 | $33,020 | $119,750 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 30 | $60,320 | $67,650 | $43,620 | $117,040 |
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 Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 1,520 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 Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wisconsin.
How much do massage therapists earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in Wisconsin is $58,070, which is $120 above the national median of $57,950 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.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) |