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Careers in Massage: Skyrocketing Projected Job Outlook for Medical Massage Therapists

2025-10-07T11:57:39-07:00October 7th, 2025|

As we discussed in a previous post, job outlook predictions are extremely rosy for massage therapists. What’s driving such strong numbers for employment growth in massage therapy? Today we’re unpacking the numbers by examining one subset of massage therapy: medical massage. 

What is Medical Massage?

Medical massage is massage therapy targeting health issues diagnosed by a doctor. (Mayo Clinic, n.d.). A medical LMT is a certified massage therapist who works closely with doctors and nurses to provide treatment for those affected by illness, injury, stress, and/or pain. Oftentimes, medical massage therapists work in hospital […]

Demand for Massage Therapists Projected to Boom in the Next Decade

2025-09-10T10:14:50-07:00September 10th, 2025|

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that the demand for massage therapists will increase by 18% in the next decade. That rate is considered “much higher than the average” job growth for all careers (2025, Job Outlook). According to the bureau’s statistics, roughly 22,800 new positions for massage therapists will be created every year in the decade between 2023 and 2033.

To put those numbers in context, all other healthcare support jobs are projected to have a 12% growth in employment for the coming decade. The average for all occupations across the board is projected at […]

Why Massage is an Excellent Second Career, or Why You’re Not too Old for Massage School

2023-08-07T12:04:02-07:00August 7th, 2023|

Our massage school admissions office sees certain concerns again and again from applicants. For those who are curious about massage school midway through their working years, it can be intimidating to think about pursuing massage dreams alongside younger students. Thoughts may arise such as Can I keep up with 18 year olds in the classroom? and Will I feel out of place as a more mature student? We’re here to quell your fears. Careers in massage therapy begin from innumerable starting points. Each massage school story is unique, and yet many […]

How to Apply for Massage Therapy Licensure in Oregon

2022-09-02T11:32:21-07:00September 2nd, 2022|

While we have posted on the educational and assessment requirements for becoming a massage therapist in the state of Oregon, we’ve never discussed the actual process of applying for a license, which is complex. As this step is crucial in any Oregon massage therapy career, we encourage those working toward LMT status to bookmark this page for easy reference.

What is the process for applying for a massage therapy license in Oregon?

As in most government procedures, there are multiple steps to follow. A helpful frame of mind is to go step by step, […]

The Great Resignation is Driving People to Launch Massage Therapy Careers

2022-02-25T10:13:31-08:00February 25th, 2022|

Certain portals in history change how we think, live, and act. A world war, for instance, changes everyone who lived through it. COVID may be our era’s catalytic event. Looking back over the last two years, it is clear that many of us will never be the same. The pandemic has altered nearly every aspect of life, and the workforce is no exception. Let’s examine how the Great Resignation of 2021 has pushed many people to leave their positions, and why massage careers are attracting many to shift gears. 

What is the Great Resignation?
In 2021, millions of people […]

Best Massage Apps to Make Life Easier for Students and LMTs

2022-01-11T10:59:28-08:00January 11th, 2022|

Getting your massage career started after graduating from massage school isn’t easy. And even if you’ve been out of massage therapist school for years, keeping up with laundry, marketing, professional requirements, and other aspects of LMT life can be challenging. Particularly as the new year approaches, it’s a good time to take stock of where you could be “working smarter” instead of “working harder.”  Let’s take a look at what apps could help you streamline your massage work this year. We include two sections: apps for students who are currently in massage schools in Oregon and elsewhere, and apps […]

COVID’s Impact: More People Considering a Career in Massage Therapy

2021-07-20T13:26:52-07:00April 9th, 2021|

The Coronavirus pandemic has changed life in many ways. With people stuck at home during lockdowns, and enormous changes in workplaces, many are considering lifestyle changes. Priorities and career preferences are changing. The admissions office of our massage school in Portland has fielded many inquiries lately, and we’d like to share why so many people are curious about earning a massage license at this time.

What’s Driving Admissions Inquiries at Massage Schools:
Portland, OR to Portland, ME, people across the country are considering a career in massage. While this is always true, it seems the Coronavirus crisis has caused a major shift […]

Forward Movement in Tricky Times: Tips for LMTs in the Age of the Coronavirus

2020-04-29T12:23:53-07:00April 29th, 2020|

Early in the coronavirus crisis, many were hopeful that Oregon’s massage businesses would be able to reopen by April 15th, the original end date in Kate Brown’s first executive order. Then, on April 14th, the governor outlined three indicators for when the economy can be reopened: 1) a “flattened curve,” meaning fewer recorded cases of COVID-19; 2) adequate protective gear for essential frontline workers, and 3) increased testing capabilities, to track any resurgence of the virus. When can we estimate these three items will be in place? Experts predict that flattening the curve will extend through at least mid-May, and […]

How the CARES Act Affects Massage Therapists: Individual Payments, Unemployment Benefits and SBA Loans to Battle the Coronavirus Crisis

2020-04-02T18:55:54-07:00April 2nd, 2020|

Congress worked fervently last week to complete the CARES Act. This $2-trillion, bipartisan deal, short for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act, includes cash payments to individuals, expanded unemployment benefits, and Small Business Administration Disaster Loans. If your massage therapy career is facing a major hurdle in the form of COVID-19, financial relief may be on the horizon. Let’s analyze how massage therapists can access the CARES Act’s resources.

Individual Cash Transfers
The CARES Act includes direct payments to individuals, to be distributed in the next couple of weeks. Eligible families will generally receive $1,200 per adult and $500 per child. […]

Massage School Education and Regulation, by the Numbers

2025-04-17T15:47:25-07:00December 28th, 2019|

“Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet,” a recent release from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), is a treasure trove of information about the massage therapy profession. We have examined this document for information on what the modern therapist is paid, how much they work, and what common characteristics many of them share. We’ve also provided a portrait of the modern massage therapist, according to the average statistics from the AMTA. Today we’re taking a different view by reviewing what the AMTA has discovered about massage education. If you are researching how to become a massage therapist, read on for a bird’s […]

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