Massage Therapist
Help people feel better, move better, and live better. Train in a hands-on wellness career at a school that has been educating massage therapists for more than 100 years.
- $67,860* NY Avg. Annual Wage
- 15%^ Job Growth
- Can be completed in as few as 20 months†
Next classes start on January 13, 2027.
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Your Massage Therapist Career Starts Here
Are you interested in alternative medicine and wellness? Have you thought about becoming your passion into a profession?
You can find training for massage therapy that is going to fit in your schedule. Swedish Institute's massage therapy school is one of the best in the country of many of if you want to make that passion into something bigger. We are part of the nation's history of massage therapy, having trained massage therapists since 1916.
Additionally, all students in our on-campus programs receive an iPad to aid them in their studies.
Our Massage Therapy Program is available in a variety of schedule options to fit anyone's schedule. We offer five-semester (20-month), six-semester (24-month), and eight-semester (32-month) schedules. Massage Therapy classes are available in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays. Pursue your new career in a timeframe that works with your schedule. Complete our Massage Therapy program in as few as 20 months.
A massage therapist aims to help clients achieve wellness and healing through massage and bodywork. You will use massage techniques to help people relax, reduce pain, and treat various medical conditions in different settings. Swedish Institute's Massage Therapy program blends Western and Eastern massage theories and techniques. Hands-on practice and massage therapy classes teach the basics of anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, and kinesiology. You will also learn patient-care practices, client-service skills, ethics, business practices, and professional development.
Throughout your massage therapy classes, you will learn to master your technique by working with real clients at our on-site P.H. Ling Stress Reduction Clinic and Therapeutic Clinic, and off-site community service externships. The on-site clinic and off-site externship prepare you for your new career with real-world training.^
Upon successfully completing the Massage Therapy program, you'll earn an Associate in Occupational Studies degree (AOS) as authorized by the New York State Board of Regents. You will also be eligible to take the New York State licensure exam.^ Upon passing the exam, you will be a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and enter the profession.
What Does a Massage Therapist Do?
Massage Therapists work with clients to achieve holistic wellness by combining various methods and approaches to massage therapy, full-methods and treatments, and are involved to:
- Assess clients by observing clients’ muscle tenderness and range of motion
- Determining and developing appropriate massage treatment plans
- Implementing treatment plans by applying appropriate massage techniques
- Recommending and educating clients on exercises or techniques to extend the benefits of massage outside the session
Massage Therapy in the 2026 US News and World Report Jobs Rankings
- #3 in Best Health Care Support Jobs
- #9 in Best Jobs Without a 4-Year Degree
- #25 in Highest-Paying Jobs Without a 4-Year Degree
- #61 in 100 Best Jobs
With training from Swedish Institute, graduates of our Massage Therapy program are prepared for early employment in a variety of settings, such as:
Tuition & Financial Aid
Paying for massage therapy training is not overwhelming. Swedish Institute offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities for eligible students so you can focus on your studies. Our financial aid team will walk you through tuition, payment options, and the financial aid process every step of the way.
Explore our scholarships, financial aid resources, and application process to get started. You can also use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition.
What Our Graduates Say
Had a great experience going through the massage therapy program here. The classes were small enough that I was able to get great supervision and insight from the skilled professors who were able to teach from their own experiences with massage over their careers. I left the school feeling competent and confident in my abilities, and comfortable knowing that I had the support of my professors and the staff to assist me with getting started. Would definitely recommend any other aspiring massage therapists to come here!
Swedish Institute is so iconic. It's over 100 years old and it's steeped in the tradition of massage, and the training is so comprehensive, more than what's out there. It's based on the history of massage, the proper application of techniques, and more. But it's combined with teaching the morals and ethics of massage as a practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- † Applies to full-time students only.
- * Salary Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System. Information is for Massage Therapists in New York State. Data from May 2025. https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home. Site visited 6/8/2026.
- ^ Growth Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey for Massage Therapists. Data from May 2024. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm. Site visited 6/8/2026.
- National long-term projections and salary averages may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual growth or any particular salary. Swedish Institute does not guarantee employment. Swedish Institute cannot guarantee a student’s eligibility either to take any exam or become certified, registered, or licensed.
- Swedish Institute’s programs are registered by the New York State Education Department. Accredited by ACCSC. For important information on program costs, completion and placement rates, median debt incurred, etc., please visit: http://www.swedishinstitute.edu/student-consumer-information.
- Some content on this website was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.