Massage Therapist Career Assessment
Hands-on care for pain, stress, and recovery — ND in-demand occupation
Welcome
Massage therapists use touch to relieve pain, reduce stress, and help people recover from injuries.
You will explore what this hands-on career is really like, including the business side, and whether it fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Massage Therapist?
A massage therapist works the muscles and soft tissues of the body to help clients feel and move better. They work in spas, clinics, chiropractic offices, hospitals, gyms, or their own businesses.
The Reality: Your body is your main tool. Doing several massages a day is physically hard. Many massage therapists are self-employed, so they must also find clients and run a business.
Your Responsibilities:
- Talk with clients about their health, pain, and goals
- Give massages using different techniques
- Adjust pressure and technique for each person
- Keep the room, linens, and table clean
- Keep client records private and accurate
- Suggest stretches or self-care
- Book appointments and take payments (if self-employed)
- Market your business and keep clients coming back
You are a caregiver, a body expert, and often a small business owner.
A Day in the Life
9:00 AM — Set up the room. Fresh linens, warm table, calm music.
9:30 AM — First client: a farmer with low back pain. Ask questions, then a 60-minute massage.
11:00 AM — Second client: a runner training for a race. Focus on legs.
12:30 PM — Lunch and a short stretch for your own hands and shoulders.
1:30 PM — Client referred by a chiropractor. Work on a stiff neck.
3:00 PM — Take a break. Wash linens. Answer messages and book appointments.
4:00 PM — Last client of the day: a stress-relief massage.
5:30 PM — Write notes. Post on social media to promote next week's openings.
Calm, physical work with people, plus some business tasks.
Training in North Dakota
North Dakota requires 750 hours of approved training. Most programs take about 8–15 months. Some ND schools offer more hours than required.
Training Pathways:
- Massage school certificate (about 8–15 months): Classroom and hands-on practice with real clients.
- College program: Williston State College offers massage therapy training.
- After licensing: Add specialties like sports, prenatal, or medical massage.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- Williston State College (Williston)
- Elite Massage Academy (Fargo)
- Fargo School of Massage (Fargo)
- Josef's School of Hair, Skin, and Body (Fargo)
- The Spa Professional Academy (Fargo)
- Spectrum School of Massage (Minot, with sites in Bismarck, Dickinson, and Grand Forks)
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED is usually required. You must pass a background check with fingerprints for your license.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like tuition, exam fees, or supplies. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Some ND employers also help pay for training if you agree to work for them afterward.
Certification & Licensing
North Dakota requires a state license. The ND Board of Massage Therapy licenses massage therapists.
What You Need:
- 750 hours from an approved massage program
- Pass a national exam — usually the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination)
- ND jurisprudence exam — on state laws and rules
- Background check with fingerprints
The Exams: The MBLEx is a computer-based exam with 100 multiple-choice questions and about 110 minutes to finish.
Cost: About $265 for the MBLEx and $150 for the ND license application. Prices change, so check before you buy.
Keeping It Current: Your ND license must be renewed with continuing education.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Massage Therapist Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $16.40–$28.37/hour ($34,120–$59,020/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $35.65/hour ($74,140/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $43.87–$53.30/hour ($91,240–$110,870/year)
What that means: ND pay is well above the national median. But many massage therapists work part-time, and income depends on how many clients you see. The numbers above are for employees; self-employed pay varies a lot.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 310 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 340 (about 9% growth). Expect about 40 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 15% growth — much faster than average.
Outlook: Good. About 40 openings a year in ND. People are using massage more for pain and stress, and some clinics now add it to health care.
Who Hires in ND: Spas and salons, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, hospitals and wellness centers, gyms, resorts, and your own private practice.
Work Setting: Quiet treatment rooms. Evenings and weekends are busy, because that is when clients are free. Self-employed therapists set their own schedule.
Physical Demands: High. Standing, bending, and using your hands, arms, and shoulders all day. Many therapists limit themselves to 4–6 massages a day to avoid injury.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 31-9011); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Medical or Clinical Massage — Work with chiropractors, physical therapists, or hospitals.
Path 2: Sports Massage — Work with athletes and teams.
Path 3: Private Practice Owner — Build your own business and client list.
Path 4: Specialize — Prenatal, oncology, or older adults.
Path 5: Teach — Teach at a massage school.
Path 6: Spa Manager — Lead a spa team.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Fast training (under a year)
- Help people feel better right away
- Calm work setting
- Flexible schedule
- Can run your own business
- Good pay in ND
What's Hard:
- Physically hard on your hands and body
- Income can go up and down
- Evening and weekend hours
- Many jobs are part-time
- Self-employed: no paid benefits
- You must build a client list
- Some clients may be inappropriate; you need firm boundaries
- Career length can be limited by injury
Be Honest: Are you comfortable touching people and keeping professional boundaries? Is your body ready for physical work? Are you OK with building your own clients and uneven income?