man giving a patient a massage as the patient is lying face down on a massage table

Massage therapists

(NOC 32201)
High opportunity occupation High opportunity occupation
Annual Earnings
$43,600
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
2,710

Career Overview

Massage therapists assess and treat soft tissues and joints of the body. Their work helps improve and maintain good health and treat pain from injuries and physical disorders. In B.C., all massage therapists are registered.

Job Titles

Massage therapist (MT)
Masso kinesitherapist
Massotherapist
Myotherapist
Orthotherapist
Registered massage practitioner
Registered massage therapist (RMT)
Thai massage therapist

Duties

In general, registered massage therapists (RMTs):

  • Interview patients and take medical histories
  • Assess patients using range-of-motion and muscle tests, muscle palpation, gait assessment and orthopedic testing
  • Monitor vital signs
  • Develop treatment plans
  • Explain procedures, risks and benefits
  • Use massage techniques such as hands-on soft tissue treatment, relaxation, hydrotherapy, joint play mobilizations and stretching
  • Teach patients how to do at-home exercises
  • Offer tips for daily living
  • Keep records of treatments

RMTs may consult with other members of a patient’s health care team such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians and psychologists. They may also refer patients to other health-care professionals.

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$43,600

Provincial Hourly Rate

HighNot available
MedianNot available
LowNot available
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

6,525

% Employed Full Time

13%
Source: 2021 Census

Registered massage therapists (RMTs) often work in private practice, either on their own or as part of a team. Or they may work in hospitals, clinics that offer a variety of health-care services, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, sports organizations or educational institutions.

Many RMTs work a 35- to 40-hour week. Others work part time. Hours may include evenings and weekends, depending on office hours and patients’ needs. Emergencies can arise but do so less often than in other health-care fields.

The work can be physically demanding. RMTs work with their arms and hands, and they stand for long periods of time.

RMTs use computers for online booking, charting and billing, as well as for the online coursework required to stay certified.

Self-employed RMTs must spend part of their time managing their business, including booking appointments and doing accounting and laundry.

Career Pathways

Registered massage therapists usually begin working in massage therapy clinics, rehabilitation centres, clinics that offer a variety of health-care services, fitness clubs or spas.

With experience, they can become supervisors or start their own business. Some may teach postgraduate continuing education courses or become instructors at accredited massage therapy colleges.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Social
Social
Realistic
Realistic

Education, Training and Skills

In B.C., registered massage therapists (RMTs) are regulated health professionals with primary care provider status. They are governed and certified by the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC).

To become certified, they must:

  • Complete a two-year massage therapy program from an accredited school, including supervised practical training
  • Pass written and practical exams
  • Be certified in standard First Aid Level C and CPR
  • Pass a background check

RMTs must renew their registration with CMTBC every year.

Some registered massage therapists do additional training in specific areas of practice. RMTs who have full-time experience specializing in sport massage can take an exam to get certified through the Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association (CSMTA).

Massage therapists who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Education programs in B.C.

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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

65%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

65%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

56%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

56%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

53%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

50%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

50%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

50%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

50%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

50%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

6,525
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 130 2.0%
Kootenay 300 4.6%
Mainland/Southwest 3,810 58.4%
North Coast and Nechako 100 1.5%
Northeast 30 0.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 805 12.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,350 20.7%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

2,710
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 40 1.0%
Kootenay 140 1.1%
Mainland/Southwest 1,570 1.7%
North Coast and Nechako 30 1.2%
Northeast 10 0.6%
Thompson-Okanagan 350 1.2%
Vancouver Island/Coast 570 2.4%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Health Care and Social Assistance2,230
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services380
Educational Services40
Accommodation and Food Services40
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services20
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

As the number of accredited schools in B.C. has increased, the supply of registered massage therapists (RMTs) has risen. The supply also continues to grow as massage therapists transfer to B.C. from other provinces.

Demand for RMTs has also grown, as more spas open and new rules let patients visit RMTs without a doctor’s referral. Demand is expected to increase further as the economy grows.

Rural and isolated areas of central and northern B.C. will likely have the highest need for RMTs.

Resources