◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE_SUPPORT · 31-9011.00
Massage Therapists
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · HEALTHCARE_SUPPORT 31-9011.00 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Massage Therapists
Massage Therapists perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints to treat medical conditions, injuries, and promote wellness. They assess clients' physical conditions, develop treatment plans, and apply various manual techniques to improve muscle function and reduce pain. These healthcare support professionals work in diverse settings from spas and wellness centers to medical facilities, combining clinical knowledge with hands-on therapeutic skills.
98,790
National Employment
$58,450
Median Annual Wage
JZ 3
Job Zone
Other Services (except Pu
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Physical Therapist Assistants
Primary-Short
onet declared
Recreational Therapists
Primary-Short
onet declared
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Primary-Short
onet declared
Physical Therapist Aides
Primary-Short
onet declared
Skincare Specialists
Primary-Short
onet declared
Occupational Therapy Aides
Primary-Long
skill overlap
Physical Therapist Assistants
Both roles share high importance in assisting and caring for others, performing physical activities, and require knowledge of biology and medicine.
task similarity
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Both assess patient conditions, develop treatment plans, and provide hands-on therapeutic interventions with similar physical demands.
riasec cluster
Recreational Therapists
Both show strong Social orientation (S:5.75) with secondary Realistic traits, focusing on helping others through therapeutic interventions.
career pathway
Skincare Specialists
Similar post-secondary certificate education requirements and hands-on client service in wellness/spa environments.
§ Feeder Roles
Health Care Support Worker
Wellness Consultant
Fitness Instructor
§ Destinations
Physical Therapist Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Spa Manager or Owner
§ RIASEC Peers
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Recreational Therapists
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

A massage therapist begins by conferring with clients about their medical histories and stress or pain problems to determine the most appropriate massage approach. They assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality, muscle strength, and range of motion before developing targeted treatment plans. During sessions, they massage and knead muscles and soft tissues, applying finger and hand pressure to specific body points using various therapeutic techniques. Between clients, they maintain treatment records, restock supplies, and sanitize equipment. They also provide clients with guidance on postural improvement, stretching, and strengthening techniques, and refer clients to other therapists when necessary.

Who Thrives

Successful massage therapists possess strong physical stamina and manual dexterity, as the work requires dynamic strength, trunk strength, and multilimb coordination for extended periods. They excel in interpersonal communication with high oral comprehension and expression abilities, combined with empathy and service orientation to understand clients' needs. These professionals have strong social perceptiveness and dependability, as clients trust them with intimate physical care and expect consistent, professional treatment. They demonstrate problem sensitivity and critical thinking skills to assess conditions and adapt techniques, while maintaining the physical flexibility and extent flexibility needed for varied therapeutic positions.

Automation Outlook

Massage therapy has low automation risk due to its fundamentally human-centered nature requiring physical touch, empathy, and real-time assessment of client responses. The work activities of assisting and caring for others, performing general physical activities, and establishing interpersonal relationships cannot be replicated by current or foreseeable technology. While digital tools may enhance scheduling and record-keeping, the core therapeutic manual techniques and client interaction remain inherently human skills.

Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
The massage therapy field employs 98,790 professionals with a median annual wage of $58,450 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, ranging from $33,640 to $100,200. Geographic variation is substantial, with Alaska offering the highest wages at $134,930 compared to Puerto Rico's $29,000, representing a 4.65x ratio reflecting regional demand and cost of living differences. Employment is concentrated in Other Services (50,610 positions) and Health Care and Social Assistance (33,300 positions), with growing demand in medical settings as healthcare providers increasingly recognize massage therapy's clinical benefits. The Accommodation and Food Services sector employs an additional 9,400 therapists, primarily in resort and spa settings.
$33,640
10th
$43,480
25th
$58,450
Median
$78,320
75th
$100,200
90th
Highest Paying State
Alaska
$134,930 median
Geographic Dispersion
4.653x
highest / lowest median
Other Services (except Public Administration) 50,610 emp $55,990
Health Care and Social Assistance 33,300 emp $65,800
Accommodation and Food Services 9,400 emp $43,670
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 3,580 emp $51,980
Retail Trade 560 emp $48,680
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
Active Listening 3.6
Speaking 3.6
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Writing 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Active Learning 3.0
Monitoring 3.0
Learning Strategies 2.8
Mathematics 2.0
Science 1.8
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Customer and Personal Service 4.6
Biology 3.3
English Language 3.3
Psychology 3.3
Medicine and Dentistry 3.1
Sales and Marketing 3.0
Public Safety and Security 3.0
Administration and Management 2.7
Administrative 2.7
Education and Training 2.7
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
4.84
TOP FIT
I
Investigative
3.79
TOP FIT
A
Artistic
2.23
S
Social
5.75
TOP FIT
E
Enterprising
2.10
C
Conventional
2.66
§ Who Thrives
Successful massage therapists possess strong physical stamina and manual dexterity, as the work requires dynamic strength, trunk strength, and multilimb coordination for extended periods. They excel in interpersonal communication with high oral comprehension and expression abilities, combined with empathy and service orientation to understand clients' needs. These professionals have strong social perceptiveness and dependability, as clients trust them with intimate physical care and expect consistent, professional treatment. They demonstrate problem sensitivity and critical thinking skills to assess conditions and adapt techniques, while maintaining the physical flexibility and extent flexibility needed for varied therapeutic positions.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
Core 26% of incumbents
Interview patients to gather medical inf
Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
Core 26% of incumbents
Administer therapy treatments to patient
Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
Core 26% of incumbents
Clean facilities or equipment.Stock supplies or merchandise.
Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
Core 26% of incumbents
Administer therapy treatments to patient
Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
Core 26% of incumbents
Develop patient therapy programs.
Maintain treatment records.
Core 26% of incumbents
Maintain medical records.
Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
Core 26% of incumbents
Assess physical conditions of patients t
Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
Core 26% of incumbents
Teach medical procedures or medical equi
Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
Core 26% of incumbents
Administer therapy treatments to patientAdminister therapeutic massages.
Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
Core 26% of incumbents
Refer patients to other healthcare practHelp clients get needed services or reso
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
AppointmentQuest Online Appointment Manager
Calendar and scheduling software
ICS Software SammyUSA
Medical software
Land Software Customer Pro-File
Medical software
Massage Suite
Medical software
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
HOT
Microsoft Word
Word processing software
HOT
Scheduling software
Calendar and scheduling software
WinCity Custom Software WinCity Massage SOAP Notes
Medical software
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocat
Entry into massage therapy typically requires completing a post-secondary certificate program focused on massage techniques, anatomy, and therapeutic applications, which 73.1% of practitioners hold. Many states require licensing as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) or Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), involving formal training and examination. Some practitioners pursue associate's degrees (11.5%) for broader healthcare knowledge or specialized techniques. Previous experience in customer service or healthcare support can be valuable for developing the interpersonal skills essential to this client-focused profession.
Massage therapists can advance by specializing in areas like medical massage, deep tissue work, or sports therapy, often requiring additional certification. Many experienced practitioners establish their own practice or move into supervisory roles at spas, wellness centers, or medical facilities. Career progression may lead to teaching positions at massage therapy schools, becoming a registered massage therapist with expanded scope of practice, or transitioning to related healthcare roles like physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy assistant with additional education.
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for trai 73.1%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) 11.5%
Some College Courses 7.7%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for 3.9%
Bachelor's Degree 3.9%
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Massage Therapists job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Healthcare Support Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
massage tendency others equipment treatment techniques therapy clients physical medical body principles includes control hands objects problems resources ideas activities
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
massage 47 0.0161
wikipedia 47% inference 43%
tendency 42 0.0144
onet dimensi 100%
others 39 0.0133
onet dimensi 97% inference 3%
equipment 28 0.0096
onet dimensi 82% dwas 7%
treatment 24 0.0082
dwas 29% onet tasks 21%
techniques 22 0.0075
onet dimensi 45% inference 32%
therapy 22 0.0075
dwas 32% wikipedia 32%
clients 20 0.0068
onet tasks 45% inference 40%
physical 20 0.0068
dwas 35% inference 35%
medical 18 0.0062
inference 39% dwas 22%
body 18 0.0062
onet dimensi 56% wikipedia 28%
principles 16 0.0055
onet dimensi 100%
includes 12 0.0041
onet dimensi 100%
control 12 0.0041
onet dimensi 100%
hands 12 0.0041
dwas 50% onet dimensi 33%
objects 12 0.0041
onet dimensi 100%
problems 11 0.0038
onet dimensi 82% onet tasks 9%
resources 11 0.0038
onet dimensi 82% dwas 18%
ideas 11 0.0038
onet dimensi 100%
activities 11 0.0038
onet dimensi 82% inference 18%
patients 11 0.0038
dwas 91% onet dimensi 9%
client 10 0.0034
wikipedia 60% inference 30%
therapists 10 0.0034
inference 50% wikipedia 40%
needs 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 80% wikipedia 10%
needed 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 70% dwas 10%
materials 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 100%
orientation 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 90% inference 10%
developing 10 0.0034
onet dimensi 80% inference 20%
hand 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 78% onet tasks 11%
problem 9 0.0031
onet dimensi 78% wikipedia 11%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Massage Therapists
31-9011.00 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
How many massage therapists are currently employed in the United States?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, there are 98,790 massage therapists employed nationally in the United States.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025 Employment Data
What is the median annual wage for massage therapists?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for massage therapists is $58,450, with earnings ranging from $33,640 at the 10th percentile to $100,200 at the 90th percentile.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025 Wage Data
Which state offers the highest compensation for massage therapists?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, Alaska provides the highest median wage for massage therapists at $134,930 annually, significantly above the national median of $58,450.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025 State Wage Data
What are the fastest-growing career paths for massage therapists?
Related occupations with strong growth potential include Physical Therapist Assistants and Occupational Therapy Assistants, which leverage similar manual therapy skills and client care experience.
market_intel ONET Related Occupations - Primary-Short Tier
What education should I pursue to enter massage therapy?
Most massage therapists complete a post-secondary certificate program (73.1% of practitioners), which covers massage techniques, anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic practices required by the profession.
career_advice ONET Education Distribution Data
What physical capabilities are most critical for success as a massage therapist?
Dynamic strength (3.8), trunk strength (3.8), and manual dexterity (3.5) are the top physical abilities required, as massage therapy demands sustained physical exertion and precise hand control.
career_advice ONET Abilities Data
How does the massage therapy field compare to similar healthcare support roles?
Massage Therapists share strong relatedness with Physical Therapist Assistants (rank 1), Recreational Therapists (rank 2), and Occupational Therapy Assistants (rank 3), offering comparable client care work with different specializations.
comparative ONET Related Occupations - Primary-Short Tier
What soft skills are most valued in massage therapy practice?
Active Listening (3.6) and Speaking (3.6) are the top soft skills, combined with Dependability (4.0) and Cooperation (3.0) as work styles, reflecting the importance of client communication and reliable therapeutic relationships.
comparative ONET Skills and Work Styles Data
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 31-9011.00 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/31-9011-massage_therapists
Boise Standard — Employment Intelligence
§ Hiring for this role?
Submit your open Massage Therapists position. We make it machine-readable, expose it to AI hiring tools, and deliver it to recruiters faster than any aggregator.
Submit Open Position →
§ Looking for this role?
Upload your resume. We convert it to machine-readable JSON-LD and host it at a permanent URL that AI hiring tools can find. Free for the first profile.
Upload Resume — Free →
§ Verify your business?
Get your Treasure Valley business verified on Boise Standard. Machine-readable, graph-connected, AI-ready provenance record. $25 one-time verification.
Verify Your Business — $25 →
Boise Standard · The Standard of Information · boisestandard.org ↗
Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 31-9011.00 · Massage Therapists 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '31-9011.00'), ('soc_code', '31-9011'), ('title', 'Massage Therapists'), ('vertical', 'healthcare_support'), ('job_zone', '3'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician mus'), ('description', 'Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (14 tasks, 0 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[Core] [26% incumbents] Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
  DWAs: Interview patients to gather medical information.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
  DWAs: Clean facilities or equipment. | Stock supplies or merchandise.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
  DWAs: Develop patient therapy programs.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Maintain treatment records.
  DWAs: Maintain medical records.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
  DWAs: Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
  DWAs: Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids. | Administer therapeutic massages.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
  DWAs: Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources. | Help clients get needed services or resources.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
  DWAs: Confer with other professionals to plan patient care.

[Core] [26% incumbents] Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.

[Supplemental] [26% incumbents] Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients' recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
  DWAs: Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- SKILLS ---
  Active Listening (imp:3.62 lvl:3.25) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:3.62 lvl:3.62) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Reading Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.00 lvl:3.25) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Active Learning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Monitoring (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Mathematics (imp:2.00 lvl:1.50) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Science (imp:1.75 lvl:1.00) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:4.58 lvl:5.27) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Biology (imp:3.31 lvl:2.85) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  English Language (imp:3.31 lvl:2.96) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Psychology (imp:3.27 lvl:3.88) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:3.08 lvl:2.73) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Sales and Marketing (imp:3.00 lvl:3.46) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Public Safety and Security (imp:3.00 lvl:2.58) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  Administration and Management (imp:2.73 lvl:2.81) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Administrative (imp:2.69 lvl:3.23) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Education and Training (imp:2.69 lvl:3.19) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Law and Government (imp:2.68 lvl:2.32) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Economics and Accounting (imp:2.65 lvl:2.46) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:2.65 lvl:2.54) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:2.50 lvl:2.31) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Communications and Media (imp:2.35 lvl:2.12) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:2.12 lvl:2.19) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.04 lvl:1.96) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Computers and Electronics (imp:1.92 lvl:2.19) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Mathematics (imp:1.68 lvl:1.04) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Physics (imp:1.64 lvl:1.12) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Chemistry (imp:1.64 lvl:1.40) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Telecommunications (imp:1.58 lvl:0.46) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Engineering and Technology (imp:1.54 lvl:0.81) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Foreign Language (imp:1.50 lvl:1.04) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Mechanical (imp:1.44 lvl:0.72) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Design (imp:1.25 lvl:0.48) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  History and Archeology (imp:1.23 lvl:0.32) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Production and Processing (imp:1.20 lvl:0.46) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Building and Construction (imp:1.19 lvl:0.31) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Transportation (imp:1.19 lvl:0.42) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Geography (imp:1.12 lvl:0.27) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Fine Arts (imp:1.12 lvl:0.23) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform
  Food Production (imp:1.00) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food

--- ABILITIES ---
  Dynamic Strength (imp:3.75 lvl:3.50) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Trunk Strength (imp:3.75 lvl:3.38) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Oral Comprehension (imp:3.62 lvl:3.88) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Oral Expression (imp:3.62 lvl:3.62) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Manual Dexterity (imp:3.50 lvl:3.12) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.38 lvl:3.38) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:3.38 lvl:3.12) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Extent Flexibility (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Written Comprehension (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Written Expression (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Selective Attention (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Finger Dexterity (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Stamina (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Static Strength (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Near Vision (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Information Ordering (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Originality (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Category Flexibility (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.25 lvl:2.25) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Time Sharing (imp:2.25 lvl:2.25) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Memorization (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Far Vision (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.00 lvl:1.12) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Perceptual Speed (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Visualization (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Control Precision (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Number Facility (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.88 lvl:0.88) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.88 lvl:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo
  Depth Perception (imp:1.88 lvl:1.12) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:1.75 lvl:1.50) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:1.75 lvl:1.25) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:1.62 lvl:0.88) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Auditory Attention (imp:1.62 lvl:1.00) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:1.50 lvl:0.62) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Spatial Orientation (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Response Orientation (imp:1.25 lvl:0.25) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Reaction Time (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Rate Control (imp:1.00) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Night Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:1.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Sound Localization (imp:1.00) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:4.60 lvl:5.00) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:4.52 lvl:5.20) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:4.23 lvl:4.54) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:4.20 lvl:4.72) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Getting Information (imp:4.19 lvl:3.81) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:3.88 lvl:4.04) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.81 lvl:3.42) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.81 lvl:3.62) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:3.64 lvl:4.19) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:3.58 lvl:4.00) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:3.38 lvl:3.50) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:3.35 lvl:4.15) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:3.31 lvl:4.00) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:3.27 lvl:3.31) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:3.23 lvl:3.54) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Thinking Creatively (imp:3.19 lvl:3.88) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:3.16 lvl:3.08) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.15 lvl:3.73) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:3.12 lvl:3.36) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:3.04 lvl:2.88) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:3.04 lvl:3.52) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:3.00 lvl:3.04) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:3.00 lvl:2.92) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.92 lvl:3.23) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Processing Information (imp:2.81 lvl:2.92) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:2.69 lvl:2.54) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:2.69 lvl:2.85) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:2.62 lvl:2.15) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:2.62 lvl:2.12) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:2.50 lvl:2.65) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Working with Computers (imp:2.27 lvl:2.15) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.27 lvl:2.42) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:2.19 lvl:2.35) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:2.12 lvl:1.81) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:2.08 lvl:2.12) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.96 lvl:1.58) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:1.58 lvl:1.00) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:1.50 lvl:0.92) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:1.46 lvl:0.77) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:1.15 lvl:0.31) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.15 lvl:0.31) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:4.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cooperation (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Empathy (imp:2.47) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation (imp:2.43) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Dependability (imp:2.27) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Sincerity (imp:2.14) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy (imp:2.00) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Social Orientation (imp:1.99) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Optimism (imp:1.90) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Integrity (imp:1.89) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Self-Control (imp:1.77) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Cautiousness (imp:1.69) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail (imp:1.51) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.29) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Humility (imp:1.22) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Initiative (imp:1.18) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Perseverance (imp:1.18) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Self-Confidence (imp:1.15) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Innovation (imp:1.10) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Sincerity (imp:1.00) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Achievement Orientation (imp:0.97) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Adaptability (imp:0.97) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity (imp:0.89) — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:0.87) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Leadership Orientation (imp:0.25) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Cautiousness () — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail () — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:3.25 lvl:3.25) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Service Orientation (imp:3.25 lvl:3.12) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.12 lvl:2.88) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:3.00 lvl:2.75) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Time Management (imp:2.88 lvl:2.38) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Coordination (imp:2.38 lvl:1.88) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Instructing (imp:2.25 lvl:2.25) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.25 lvl:2.38) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Systems Analysis (imp:2.12 lvl:2.12) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Persuasion (imp:2.00 lvl:1.62) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Negotiation (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Technology Design (imp:1.75 lvl:1.12) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:1.75 lvl:1.00) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:1.75 lvl:0.88) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.62 lvl:1.25) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.62 lvl:0.88) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Operations Monitoring (imp:1.38 lvl:0.50) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Troubleshooting (imp:1.38 lvl:0.38) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.38 lvl:0.50) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.00) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Programming (imp:1.00) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Operation and Control (imp:1.00) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.00) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Repairing (imp:1.00) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 98,790 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 98,790
  annual_median    : $58,450
  annual_pct10     : $33,640
  annual_pct25     : $43,480
  annual_pct75     : $78,320
  annual_pct90     : $100,200
  annual_mean      : $63,830
  hourly_median    : $28.10

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Alaska ($134,930)
  lowest_state     : Puerto Rico ($29,000)
  dispersion_ratio : 4.653x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (52 total) ---
  Other Services (except Public Administration) emp:   50,610  median: $  55,990
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:   33,300  median: $  65,800
  Accommodation and Food Services          emp:    9,400  median: $  43,670
  Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation      emp:    3,580  median: $  51,980
  Retail Trade                             emp:      560  median: $  48,680
  Educational Services                     emp:      560  median: $  50,940
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:       50  median: $  58,830

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (7 total) ---
  Other Services (except Public Administration) emp:   50,610  median: $  55,990
  Health Care and Social Assistance        emp:   33,300  median: $  65,800
  Accommodation and Food Services          emp:    9,400  median: $  43,670
  Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation      emp:    3,580  median: $  51,980
  Retail Trade                             emp:      560  median: $  48,680
  Educational Services                     emp:      560  median: $  50,940
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:       50  median: $  58,830
Wikipedia — Massage table (242 words) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage_table ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : found
matched_title      : Massage table
match_score        : 0.6452
wikidata_qid       : Q6784507
word_count         : 242
wikipedia_url      : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage_table
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T21:53:15.598623Z

--- WIKIPEDIA FULL TEXT ---
A massage table is used by massage therapists to position the client to receive a massage.  Most are manufactured with client comfort and therapist ergonomics in mind.  A typical table has an easily cleaned, heavily padded surface, and a face cradle that allows the client to breathe easily while lying face down. 
Customizable tables can include a powered center section, variable position armrests and adjustable head section to create better body mechanics for the therapist so that they can better treat the client.

Tables may be either stationary or portable, depending on the intended use.  Additional padding or supports such as specific supports for pregnancy massage, may be used as accessories to the basic table. Common additions also included speciality heated pads and draping sheets.
There are many uses for massage tables beyond basic massage therapy. They can also be used as an examination table by doctors and medical practitioners, and can be used by specialized practitioner like: reflexologists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, acupuncturists, reiki practitioners and even beauty therapists like facialists.
When it comes to choosing the right massage table one should consider many factors like: what type of therapy will be performed and what are specific needs for proper therapy treatment. Uniform surface provides patient with comfort which is needed for general massages and therapy. Some massages like sport massage require special patient positions and for that more-sections therapy tables should be used. 


== See also ==
Massage chair


== References ==

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Massage (similarity: 0.5600)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage
  QID: Q179415
  Extract: Massage is the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pain. In English-speaking European countries, traditionally 

  Title: Stone massage (similarity: 0.4516)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_massage
  QID: Q607553
  Extract: A stone massage is a type of therapy classified as a form of alternative medicine massage, involving the placement of heated or cooled stones on the body intended to promote relaxation or relieve discomfort. Various cultural traditions employ different techniques for stone placement, temperature, an

  Title: Medical massage (similarity: 0.4242)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_massage
  QID: Q1030071
  Extract: Medical massage is outcome-based massage, primarily the application of specific targeted techniques to the problem the patient presents with a diagnosis or assessment, and is administered after a thorough evaluation by the medical massage therapist, with specific outcomes being the basis for treatme

  Title: Watsu (similarity: 0.2609)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watsu
  QID: Q525299
  Extract: Watsu is a form of aquatic bodywork used for deep relaxation and passive aquatic therapy. Watsu is characterized by one-on-one sessions in which a practitioner or therapist gently cradles, moves, stretches, and massages a receiver in chest-deep warm water.

  Title: Sexological bodywork (similarity: 0.1579)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexological_bodywork
  QID: Q136534587
  Extract: Sexological bodywork is a body-based, somatic sex education modality in which trained practitioners use one-way touch, breathwork, movement, and focused attention to support clients in learning about arousal, pleasure, and sexual wellbeing within an explicitly educational context. Sessions emphasize
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0482 inferred_at: 2026-06-03T20:13:38 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong O*NET data coverage with detailed skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities. Clear BLS wage data and employment statistics support market intelligence. Well-defined educational requirements and licensing patterns provide solid career entry information.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-03T20:13:38.058824+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,654
tokens_output        : 4,338
cost_usd             : $0.048166
wikipedia_used       : False
wikipedia_title      : Massage table
wikipedia_note       : The exact match was for massage equipment rather than the profession itself. The semantic neighbors including 'Massage' and 'Medical massage' provided more relevant context about therapeutic massage practices and applications.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Massage Therapists perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints to treat medical conditions, injuries, and promote wellness. They assess clients' physical conditions, develop treatment plans, and apply various manual techniques to improve muscle function and reduce pain. These healthcare support professionals work in diverse settings from spas and wellness centers to medical facilities, combining clinical knowledge with hands-on therapeutic skills.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A massage therapist begins by conferring with clients about their medical histories and stress or pain problems to determine the most appropriate massage approach. They assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality, muscle strength, and range of motion before developing targeted treatment plans. During sessions, they massage and knead muscles and soft tissues, applying finger and hand pressure to specific body points using various therapeutic techniques. Between clients, they maintain treatment records, restock supplies, and sanitize equipment. They also provide clients with guidance on postural improvement, stretching, and strengthening techniques, and refer clients to other therapists when necessary.

WHO THRIVES:
Successful massage therapists possess strong physical stamina and manual dexterity, as the work requires dynamic strength, trunk strength, and multilimb coordination for extended periods. They excel in interpersonal communication with high oral comprehension and expression abilities, combined with empathy and service orientation to understand clients' needs. These professionals have strong social perceptiveness and dependability, as clients trust them with intimate physical care and expect consistent, professional treatment. They demonstrate problem sensitivity and critical thinking skills to assess conditions and adapt techniques, while maintaining the physical flexibility and extent flexibility needed for varied therapeutic positions.

CAREER ENTRY:
Entry into massage therapy typically requires completing a post-secondary certificate program focused on massage techniques, anatomy, and therapeutic applications, which 73.1% of practitioners hold. Many states require licensing as a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) or Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), involving formal training and examination. Some practitioners pursue associate's degrees (11.5%) for broader healthcare knowledge or specialized techniques. Previous experience in customer service or healthcare support can be valuable for developing the interpersonal skills essential to this client-focused profession.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Massage therapists can advance by specializing in areas like medical massage, deep tissue work, or sports therapy, often requiring additional certification. Many experienced practitioners establish their own practice or move into supervisory roles at spas, wellness centers, or medical facilities. Career progression may lead to teaching positions at massage therapy schools, becoming a registered massage therapist with expanded scope of practice, or transitioning to related healthcare roles like physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy assistant with additional education.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
The massage therapy field employs 98,790 professionals with a median annual wage of $58,450 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, ranging from $33,640 to $100,200. Geographic variation is substantial, with Alaska offering the highest wages at $134,930 compared to Puerto Rico's $29,000, representing a 4.65x ratio reflecting regional demand and cost of living differences. Employment is concentrated in Other Services (50,610 positions) and Health Care and Social Assistance (33,300 positions), with growing demand in medical settings as healthcare providers increasingly recognize massage therapy's clinical benefits. The Accommodation and Food Services sector employs an additional 9,400 therapists, primarily in resort and spa settings.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Massage therapy has low automation risk due to its fundamentally human-centered nature requiring physical touch, empathy, and real-time assessment of client responses. The work activities of assisting and caring for others, performing general physical activities, and establishing interpersonal relationships cannot be replicated by current or foreseeable technology. While digital tools may enhance scheduling and record-keeping, the core therapeutic manual techniques and client interaction remain inherently human skills.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [skill_overlap] Physical Therapist Assistants (31-2021.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share high importance in assisting and caring for others, performing physical activities, and require knowledge of biology and medicine.
    data: Assisting and Caring for Others imp:4.6
    data: Biology knowledge imp:3.3
    data: Medicine and Dentistry knowledge imp:3.1
  [task_similarity] Occupational Therapy Assistants (31-2011.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both assess patient conditions, develop treatment plans, and provide hands-on therapeutic interventions with similar physical demands.
    data: Dynamic Strength imp:3.8
    data: Manual Dexterity imp:3.5
    data: Treatment planning tasks
  [riasec_cluster] Recreational Therapists (29-1125.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both show strong Social orientation (S:5.75) with secondary Realistic traits, focusing on helping others through therapeutic interventions.
    data: RIASEC S:5.75
    data: Customer and Personal Service knowledge imp:4.6
  [career_pathway] Skincare Specialists (39-5094.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Similar post-secondary certificate education requirements and hands-on client service in wellness/spa environments.
    data: Post-Secondary Certificate 73.1%
    data: Other Services employment 50,610
    data: Manual dexterity requirements
  [job_zone] Physical Therapist Aides (31-2022.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both are Job Zone 3 requiring medium preparation and share healthcare support functions with similar educational pathways.
    data: Job Zone 3
    data: Healthcare support vertical
    data: Post-secondary certificate education
  [knowledge_overlap] Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (29-2061.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both require knowledge of biology, medicine and dentistry, and psychology for patient care in healthcare settings.
    data: Biology knowledge imp:3.3
    data: Medicine and Dentistry imp:3.1
    data: Psychology knowledge imp:3.3

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['massage', 'therapist', 'bodywork', 'therapeutic', 'soft tissue', 'manual therapy', 'licensed massage', 'certified massage']
  exclude_keywords : ['physical therapy', 'occupational therapy', 'nursing', 'medical assistant', 'spa attendant']
  title_patterns   : ['Licensed Massage Therapist', 'Certified Massage Therapist', 'Massage Therapist', 'Clinical Massage Therapist', 'Medical Massage Therapist']
  common_variations: ['LMT', 'CMT', 'RMT', 'Masseur', 'Masseuse', 'Bodywork Therapist', 'Massage Operator', 'Massotherapist']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['massage', 'tendency', 'others', 'equipment', 'treatment', 'techniques', 'therapy', 'clients', 'physical', 'medical', 'body', 'principles', 'includes', 'control', 'hands', 'objects', 'problems', 'resources', 'ideas', 'activities']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
massage                    47  0.01608  wikipedia            wikipedia:47%  inference:43%  onet_tasks:11%
tendency                   42  0.01437  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
others                     39  0.01335  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:97%  inference:3%
equipment                  28  0.00958  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  dwas:7%  inference:7%
treatment                  24  0.00821  dwas                 dwas:29%  onet_tasks:21%  wikipedia:21%
techniques                 22  0.00753  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:45%  inference:32%  wikipedia:14%
therapy                    22  0.00753  dwas                 dwas:32%  wikipedia:32%  inference:32%
clients                    20  0.00685  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:45%  inference:40%  onet_dimensions:5%
physical                   20  0.00685  dwas                 dwas:35%  inference:35%  onet_dimensions:30%
medical                    18  0.00616  inference            inference:39%  dwas:22%  wikipedia:22%
body                       18  0.00616  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:56%  wikipedia:28%  onet_tasks:11%
principles                 16  0.00548  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
includes                   12  0.00411  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
control                    12  0.00411  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
hands                      12  0.00411  dwas                 dwas:50%  onet_dimensions:33%  wikipedia:8%
objects                    12  0.00411  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
problems                   11  0.00377  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  onet_tasks:9%  inference:9%
resources                  11  0.00377  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  dwas:18%
ideas                      11  0.00377  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
activities                 11  0.00377  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  inference:18%
patients                   11  0.00377  dwas                 dwas:91%  onet_dimensions:9%
client                     10  0.00342  wikipedia            wikipedia:60%  inference:30%  onet_tasks:10%
therapists                 10  0.00342  inference            inference:50%  wikipedia:40%  onet_tasks:10%
needs                      10  0.00342  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  wikipedia:10%  inference:10%
needed                     10  0.00342  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:70%  dwas:10%  wikipedia:10%
materials                  10  0.00342  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
orientation                10  0.00342  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:90%  inference:10%
developing                 10  0.00342  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:80%  inference:20%
hand                        9  0.00308  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  onet_tasks:11%  inference:11%
problem                     9  0.00308  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  wikipedia:11%  inference:11%
procedures                  9  0.00308  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  dwas:11%
services                    9  0.00308  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:67%  inference:22%  dwas:11%
human                       9  0.00308  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:78%  inference:22%
quickly                     9  0.00308  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
performing                  9  0.00308  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:89%  inference:11%
therapist                   9  0.00308  inference            inference:56%  wikipedia:44%
quality                     8  0.00274  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  onet_tasks:12%  inference:12%
strength                    8  0.00274  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  inference:38%  onet_tasks:12%
understand                  8  0.00274  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  inference:12%
monitoring                  8  0.00274  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 31-9011.00 · built 2026-06-02 · Sources declared above are authoritative originals. This page synthesizes but does not replace them. Every claim traceable. Full provenance. Constitutional Law I.
◈ Verify Your Business — $25 →