Missouri Massage Therapy Schools
With rising employment levels, massage therapy is an excellent career choice for many people. To become a massage therapist, students must receive a degree or certificate. Afterward, they must pass their licensing tests before they can begin to practice as a massage therapist.
Find Massage Therapy Programs in Missouri
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
Overview of Massage Therapy Schools in Missouri
One of the top massage therapy schools in Missouri is at the Metro Business College. The program takes three quarters for the average student to complete. Hands-on practice is completed at the onsite clinic. To graduate, students must successfully complete all of their core classes. Students may also choose to attend the St. Charles School of Massage Therapy. It offers a professional training program and is accredited by COMTA. Students can practice at the student clinic before they receive an associate degree in massage therapy. Overall, St. Charles boasts of a 90 percent pass rate for the national exam.
A diploma in massage therapy is offered at the Missouri College. This program teaches students how to rehabilitate sports injuries and decompress tired muscles. Once students complete the program, they are encouraged to take their National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork exam.
Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements in Missouri
To become a massage therapist in the state of Missouri, students must pass the MBLEx, the NBCA, the NCETM or the NCCAOM exam. Any educational programs must include at least 500 hours of practice time to be eligible. Once this is done, students just have to pay their licensing and application fees in order to become a licensed massage therapist to the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage.
Employment Outlook for Massage Therapists in Missouri
In Missouri, the average wage for massage therapists is $30,440 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average per hour rate is $14.63. Over the last year, the bottom ten percent of workers made less than $18,360. The top ten percent of workers in the field of massage therapy earned more than $42,480. Although the average salary for massage therapists is lower than the national average, the cost of living in the area is also much lower. From 2010 to 2020, the job outlook for massage therapy is expected to grow by 20 percent. Currently, there are 800 people working in the field of massage therapy within the state of Missouri. This number is expected to increase over the next few years as more people turn to massage therapy for its health benefits.