
Massage therapists working in the state of Pennsylvania earn a higher salary compared to the U.S. national average salary for this therapeutic occupation.
A massage therapist is trained in the manipulation of soft tissue and joints to relieve various musculoskeletal ailments and promoting health & wellness in their patients or clients.
Massage therapists can help injured people during their rehabilitation as well as helping prevent injury. These health care professional also work with otherwise healthy people looking for a way to get soothe overworked and tired muscles, relieve everyday aches and pains, or just seeking general relaxation and stress relief. Massage therapists can work independently and treat clients in their homes, or work in spas/resorts, chiropractor’s offices, physical therapy clinics or other healthcare facilities.
In Pennsylvania (PA), the average wage of a massage therapist is $45,450, which is higher than the national mean salary of $39,920 for this therapeutic profession. The employment growth for massage therapists in PA is at 21.9%.
If you are interested in going to massage therapy school in Pennsylvania, we’ve put together the following list of the best massage programs in the state to help you along with your research.
Everest Institute
Everest College offers a program with a flexible class schedule, offering both day and evening classes. Students who are trying to attend school around work schedules will find that Everest Institute will allow them to be able to work their class schedule around their already busy schedules.
By providing hands on training, this program will give students all that they need to begin a career in massage therapy. Students will learn about health and wellness, business and ethics, basic anatomy and then will learn a variety of massage techniques, such as Swedish, Pre-Natal, Post-Natal, Geriatric massage, sports massage, neuromuscular and trigger point massage, deep tissue massage, Wellness and Eastern theory and practice. Students will get academic knowledge, clinical skills, technical skills, learn manual dexterity and other skills to prepare them for working in this field.
Program Length: 1 year
Campus Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Sanford-Brown Institute
Sanford-Brown offers a diploma program that prepares students for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork certification exam. The diploma program covers the basics of ethics, clinical practice, hygiene, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and massage.
This program concentrates on therapeutic massage principles and techniques including hydrotherapy. The classes are a mixture of academic lectures and clinical learning and they include an internship where students can put their skills and learning to use.
Program Length: 15 Months
Campus Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Cortiva Institute
Offering integrated academic and clinical components in convenient day and evening classes, the Cortiva Institute is a good choice for students who need a flexible class schedule while still getting quality education.
This program prepares students for the national certification exam by blending courses that focus on professional skills, science and anatomy and then with hands-on training components. Massage therapy methods that are taught at this school include therapeutic, neuromuscular, reflexology, lymphatic, chair massage, and stone touch massage. Cortiva also offers job placement support for graduates and graduates of this program qualify for membership in the American Massage Therapy Association.
Program Length: 6.5 months if taken full-time and 10 months if taken during evenings/weekends only.
Campus Location: King of Prussia, PA
Career Training Academy
All massage therapy programs listed below are available in both day and evening classes, so no matter which of the three programs that you are interested in, you can fit them into your schedule. Classes are a mixture of classroom learning and clinical training. Tuition includes the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination and all graduates are guaranteed to receive an interview with a Massage Envy location.
The Career Training Academy offers three different programs:
- Diploma for Therapeutic Massage Technician
- Diploma for Comprehensive Massage Therapist
- Occupational Associate in Specialized Technology Degree (Advanced Bodyworker program)
Campus Locations: New Kensington, PA; Monroeville, PA; Pittsburgh, PA
Fortis Institute
The curriculum in this program combines the fundamentals of massage; anatomy and massage techniques and graduates are awarded a massage certification and will be fully prepared to take the national certification exam.
In addition to anatomy, pathology, kinesiology, physiology, and Swedish massage, contemporary massage techniques are also taught through lectures and hands-on training.
Program Length: Please request info below for program length details
Campus Locations: Erie, PA; Forty Fort, PA; Scranton, PA
Lansdale School of Business
This massage therapy program awards a diploma includes classes on massage technique, massage theory, massage business management, anatomy, pathology, kinesiology, physiology, myofascial and craniosacral massage, sports massage, reflexology, shiatsu, eastern techniques, aromatherapy and reiki.
Lansdale’s curriculum is a mixture of lectures, lab work, hands-on practice and supervised practicum.
Program Length: Program is measured in hours and will take 600 clock hours to complete
Campus Locations: North Wales, PA; Phoenixville, PA; Warminster, PA
Baltimore School of Massage
As part of the Steiner Education Group, which operates massage therapy schools in 14 states, the Baltimore School of Massage is part of a long standing tradition of helping graduates go on to a rewarding career as a massage therapist.
Student will lean massage therapy and techniques, anatomy, physiology, business and ethics, and a combination of Eastern and Western massage such as sports massage, trigger point therapy, cranial sacral therapy, acupressure, and shiatsu.
Program Length: 7.5 Months if taken full-time & 12 Months if taken part-time, evenings only
Campus Location: York, PA
Academy of Massage Therapy & Body Works
With both day and evening classes, this school makes it easy for students to fit coursework into their busy schedules. The school also offers weekend seminars. Students will learn anatomy, physiology, ethics, and massage theory and practice as well as a variety of massage techniques.
Program Length: 6 months full-time OR 1 year for part-time students
Campus Location: Pottstown, PA
Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy
The Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy is dedicated to teaching students all aspects of beginning a career in massage therapy; with its small class size, students are guaranteed to get a good education from the skilled faculty members.
This fully comprehensive program includes ethics, business, massage theory, pathology, hygiene, anatomy, and other related classes including the following massage and wellness techniques: hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, chair massage, Reiki, Shiatsu, myofascial, sports, neuromuscular, and Swedish massage.
Program Length: 682 total clock hours
Campus Location: Pittsburgh, PA
National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI)
Designed to help students prepare for passing the national certification exam and for a career as a massage therapist, NMTI’s program features a flexible schedule of day, evening, or weekend classes.
Students will learn about the health benefits of massage, massage theory and practice, sports massage, prenatal and geriatric massage therapy and modalities of massage therapy.
Program Length: 9 months
Campus Location: Philadelphia, PA
Get Information on Massage Therapy Schools in PA
Programs:
- Relaxation Therapist
No matter what occupation you choose to pursue, the competition for a good job is fierce. Lansdale School of Business (LSB) can help you stand out from the rest by teaching you the specific skills you need to succeed in the career you desire.
Programs:
- Diploma-Massage Therapy
Programs:
- Massage Therapy (Diploma)
Get the training you need for a rewarding career in less time than you may think
If you're looking for hands-on, career focused training, look no further than Anthem Institute.
Programs:
- Massage Therapy - DIP
Advance your career at Dawn Career Institute. Gain the specialized knowledge and skills to help prepare you for a new career quickly and conveniently.
Programs:
- Therapeutic Massage Practitioner
Programs:
- Massage Therapy
Programs:
- Professional Massage Therapy Program
Programs:
- Massage Therapy Program
Programs:
- Therapeutic Massage Practitioner
Fortis Institute can give you the skills you need to train for a career in the healthcare field.
* Programs vary by location
* Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information
Programs:
- Therapeutic Massage
- Massage Therapist






























