Massage therapy sits at the intersection of professional care, personal wellbeing, and a growing mobile-service economy. This page brings together the most useful recent U.S. figures from government and industry sources, with every statistic linked to the original source.
National use
Massage use has more than doubled in two decades.
10.9%
of U.S. adults used massage therapy in 2022.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports this from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey.
Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 20244.8% → 10.9%
adult use of massage therapy from 2002 to 2022.
The same nationally representative survey series shows massage use more than doubled across those two measurement years.
Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2024The profession
The U.S. massage workforce is projected to grow.
155,400
massage therapist jobs in the United States in 2025.
This is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment estimate for the occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 202615%
projected employment growth for massage therapists from 2025 to 2035.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes this as much faster than average for all occupations.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 202620,400
average annual job openings projected from 2025 to 2035.
This estimate includes openings created by growth and by people leaving the occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026$58,450
median annual pay for massage therapists in May 2025.
Pay varies by location, setting, schedule, and experience, so this national median is a benchmark rather than a local rate.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026Consumer survey
People most often connect massage with health, wellness, or stress support.
79%
of massage consumers named health, wellness, or stress as the primary reason for their most recent massage.
This reflects consumers surveyed about massages received in the 12 months ending June 2025.
Source: American Massage Therapy Association, 202571%
of massage consumers used massage for a health or medical reason in the 12 months ending June 2025.
This is a consumer-survey finding, not a clinical recommendation or a measure of treatment effectiveness.
Source: American Massage Therapy Association, 2025Consumer figures on this page are survey findings. They describe reported reasons for use, not medical outcomes or a promise that massage is appropriate for every person. Anyone with a health concern should speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
A practical local perspective
Care should feel clear before an appointment begins.
At Massage & Bodywork On Wheels, mobile appointments are planned around a client's space, comfort, and preferences. Explore the treatment options, or read the practical guide to what mobile massage involves.
Methodology & sources
How this reference is maintained.
Figures are selected from named primary government sources and a named industry consumer survey. Each statistic links directly to its source and identifies the source year. This page is reviewed about monthly, or sooner when a primary source releases a material update.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Massage Therapy, What You Need To Know, reporting 2022 National Health Interview Survey data, accessed October 2026.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Massage Use, 20-Year Trends, based on the National Health Interview Survey and published research, accessed October 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Massage Therapists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, last modified August 27, 2026.
- American Massage Therapy Association: Consumer Views & Use of Massage Therapy, based on a July 2025 online survey of 1,000 U.S. adults.
Cite this page
Massage & Bodywork On Wheels. Massage Therapy Statistics: U.S. Use, Workforce & Consumer Views. Updated October 14, 2026. https://massagebodyworkonwheels.com/massage-therapy-statistics.