Massage Therapy Schools in Arizona

Guide to Arizona Massage Therapy Degree Programs

Arizona has one of the fastest growing populations in the country. This is a far stretch from its roots as a frontier state only a century ago. Massage therapy students can get their degree here as well as enter the field. The state is home to dozens of massage-therapy training programs scattered throughout. Many parts of Arizona have gained a reputation as alternative healing centers. Massage therapy fits right into this world. Graduates will find a welcoming community. The state is a tourist destination and this will continue for many decades to come.

Arizona boasts wild frontier areas as well as densely populated urban areas. Culture and refinement are just step as away from desert vistas of gold and red. The largest urban centers grow around Phoenix and Tucson. These metropolitan centers have other smaller cities in their growth rings. For a more relaxed pace, the rest of the state is home to many smaller towns. The past twenty years has brought explosive growth to the state’s urban areas. However, the rural areas have gained population as well. How can the Grand Canyon State help you meet degree dreams?

Arizona Massage Therapy Job Outlook and Salary

Arizona brings a diversity of options for massage therapists from one end of the state to the other. Therapists just out of school will likely start working part time until they build a reliable client base of their own. Some may find work in resorts and spas throughout the state. Starting salaries are generally from $16,000 to $20,000 per year. With a few years experience and a growing client base, a massage therapist can expect to make around $37,000 per year. This figure is higher than the national median of $34,900. Therapists will build a client base faster in larger communities such as Tucson or Phoenix. They can also charge higher fees in urban centers as well.  

The Arizona Department of Economic Security projects the state’s demand for massage therapists will grow 13% over the next few years. This is lower than the projected national average of 20%. Most growth will continue to be in the urban areas and larger suburban communities. Arizona does regulate massage therapy through the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy. They require therapists to pass the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork exam. Once licensed, therapists are required to get additional training every two years to maintain their state certification.