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Chair Massage Certification, Training, and Careers

Chair massage is a brief session of bodywork during which the client is treated while sitting in a chair.

males therapist performing chair massage on female client

Massage therapists with chair massage training—also referred to as seated massage or on-site massage—treat clients in airports, workplaces, and many other settings.

The massage, which usually lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, may take place in a special massage chair or an ordinary chair, and focuses on the head, neck, shoulders, back and hips.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to enter this specialized massage field.

Career Overview

If you’ve attended chair massage school, you’ll find that job opportunities are everywhere, from shopping malls to hospitals, from convention centers to sporting events.

Many massage therapists provide chair massage services as a part of their regular practice, as a way of introducing a wider range of people to the benefits of massage through short, inexpensive sessions.

Also, more and more employers are recognizing the advantages of providing employees with on-site wellness care. As a result, many massage therapists with chair massage training work in the corporate world.

Chair Massage Certification and Education

What You’ll Study in Chair Massage School

At chair massage school, you’ll learn specialized massage techniques, as well as how to effectively adapt familiar massage skills to the seated massage session.

As with other types of massage education, you’ll also learn about anatomy and physiology, body mechanics, business practices and professional ethics.

Average Length of Chair Massage Study

Although chair massage training at the basic level can be completed in as little as a few weeks, a full certificate or diploma program may require 500 to 1000 hours of study. An associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years to complete.

Chair Massage Certification

Massage therapists may be able to receive continuing education credits for chair massage training, ultimately leading to professional certification from the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork).

NCBTMB certification requires at least 500 hours of study. However, local and state regulations vary, and not every state requires massage therapists to have a license or certification.

Career Outlook

Employment for massage therapists is projected to increase by 18.3% through 2032, which is a faster than average job growth rate according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Massage therapists with chair massage training will be well positioned to take advantage of this growth, with many job opportunities expected in the corporate world.

Both the American Massage Therapy Association and the Bureau of Labor Statistics report that employers are showing an increasing interest in wellness, with well-known companies like Google and Eddie Bauer offering massage therapy to employees.

Chair Massage Salary

Chair massage training can earn you a solid income if you’re able to put in the hours. According to the AMTA, massage therapists who work on-site charge about $60 to $70 per hour, plus tips.

However, if you work for a spa or franchise, your employer may take out a percentage of your overall earnings. You can research state and national massage therapist salary info from the BLS here:

Massage Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $49,860

Projected job growth: 18.3%

10th Percentile: $29,040

25th Percentile: $39,080

75th Percentile: $67,300

90th Percentile: $90,530

Projected job growth: 18.3%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $25,670 $18,780 $56,460
Alaska $127,470 $41,710 $151,400
Arizona $49,920 $29,920 $93,010
Arkansas $38,440 $25,480 $51,800
California $58,920 $30,830 $100,830
Colorado $51,010 $28,640 $72,520
Connecticut $66,140 $33,650 $122,620
Delaware N/A N/A N/A
District of Columbia $50,500 $40,150 $76,340
Florida $46,720 $29,000 $74,130
Georgia $46,720 $19,310 $71,890
Hawaii $61,520 $23,120 $104,050
Idaho $57,220 $31,810 $75,730
Illinois $60,880 $34,370 $95,840
Indiana $49,930 $33,770 $80,470
Iowa $47,450 $31,980 $63,510
Kansas $47,090 $22,280 $68,560
Kentucky $47,110 $23,500 $81,110
Louisiana $35,580 $18,780 $70,300
Maine $44,930 $27,550 $95,250
Maryland $57,860 $35,980 $101,330
Massachusetts $49,740 $35,840 $92,870
Michigan $58,240 $31,410 $87,240
Minnesota $48,600 $43,540 $74,870
Mississippi $45,330 $30,850 $108,440
Missouri $28,730 $23,190 $68,990
Montana $52,260 $22,430 $95,970
Nebraska $55,990 $25,910 $83,000
Nevada $36,010 $18,520 $63,470
New Hampshire $62,400 $40,960 $75,690
New Jersey $48,250 $29,960 $71,190
New Mexico $41,510 $26,080 $67,600
New York $49,350 $34,250 $97,690
North Carolina $55,170 $32,470 $108,330
North Dakota $49,330 $29,500 $80,110
Ohio $47,140 $29,640 $74,060
Oklahoma $47,350 $26,240 $54,080
Oregon $77,080 $34,430 $93,600
Pennsylvania $58,940 $29,170 $95,800
South Carolina $44,500 $17,560 $65,060
South Dakota $41,500 $29,650 $69,540
Tennessee $49,010 $20,450 $65,450
Texas $48,100 $24,290 $76,280
Utah $51,100 $24,420 $83,550
Vermont $80,360 $27,590 $103,760
Virginia $52,870 $25,060 $83,010
Washington $76,290 $39,160 $99,960
West Virginia $48,550 $25,690 $76,130
Wisconsin $47,180 $19,110 $78,990
Wyoming $49,650 $31,150 $53,900

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Sources: NCBTMB, NCCIH, American Massage Therapy Association.