Massage Therapy Schools in California

Guide to California Massage Therapy Degree Programs

If you are looking for a state with a wide range of possibilities, California is the first state you see. The Pacific Coast provides the watery western side to this third largest state in the Union. For those seeking training in massage therapy, the state hosts schools from North to South and every other part of the state. There are dozens of training programs for a potential student to think about. The state boasts a diversity of cities and regions. This means a wide range of options for massage therapists.  

If California were an independent nation, it would rank as the world’s eighth largest economy. The state boasts a large economic diversity. California still gets a great deal of revenue from Hollywood and the movie industry. However, entertainment does not make the largest contribution to the state’s economy. Agriculture dominates many parts of the state. The southern regions provide a variety of crops year round to the rest of the world. Napa Valley and other northern areas are great for wine and grape production. Silicon Valley is home to many technology giants. The ports are overwhelmed with trade to Asia. How can the Golden State make your dreams come true?  

California Massage Therapy Job Outlook and Salary

California welcomed massage therapy many years ago. Therapists will find work literally from one end of the state to the other. Massage therapists, just getting started, will likely begin working part time until they build a reliable client base. Starting salaries go from $18,000 to $21,000 per year. With a few years experience and a steady client list, a massage therapist can expect to make around $38,000 per annum. This figure is higher than the national median of $34,900. Cost of living is higher in many urban areas however.

The California Employment Development Department projects that the state’s demand for massage therapists will grow 26% in the next few years. This is higher than the projected national median of 20%. Urban areas and smaller cities will experience the largest amount of growth. However, resorts and lodges in the mountains will also provide opportunities. As of early 2009, the state of California does provide voluntary massage therapy certification through the California Massage Therapy Council. Prior to this, a massage therapist would have to seek licensure at the county or city level. At this point, massage therapists can choose from two options. The first is to continue getting licensure at the city or county level. The second is to by-pass the local level and receive this voluntary certification.