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About
Call it the “human touch”: The high degree of emotional intelligence, physical dexterity and personalized care required to be a massage therapist makes it one of the professions least likely to be automated in the future.
It’s also a field experiencing growing labour demand, as Canada’s population ages, and there is increasing interest in using complementary and alternative treatments such as massage therapy to manage chronic illnesses and acute pain. Considering the flexible hours, the autonomy of being self-employed at a private practice, and the ability to earn a good income, a career as a registered massage therapist has much to offer.
Massage therapists help improve clients\’ physical and mental well-being by caring for their muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems. Massage therapy is a proven tool for optimizing physical function and relieving pain and stress in settings as wide-ranging as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, sports and fitness centres, and luxury spas and hotels.
Top-rated massage therapy courses and programs will give students the knowledge, practical skills, and hands-on experience needed to complete certification exams with provincial regulatory authorities to become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) or Massage Therapist (MT). College and university programs in massage therapy include courses in concepts of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics and orthopedic assessment, neuroanatomy and physiology, as well as how to manage an independent practice, maintaining standards and professionalism, and more. Those interested in massage therapy may also consider enrolling in auxiliary certification or diplomas in programs such as acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine.
Massage therapy is regulated in several provinces across Canada, including New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and British Columbia. In those provinces, the regulatory body is responsible for establishing and enforcing standards of practice — meaning practitioners must meet educational requirements set out by the association. Regulation is being actively pursued in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan.
Massage therapy professionals earn a good income, particularly if they own their practice. The federal government’s Job Bank reports a lower average of $30,847 annually, but Glassdoor and Indeed indicate the average massage therapist salary is closer to $80,000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What is the difference between a registered massage therapist (RMT) and a massage therapist (MT)?
A registered massage therapist (RMT) is registered with the provincial regulatory body for massage therapy, whereas a massage therapist is not registered with that authority.
In some provinces, massage therapists can practice without registration; in other provinces, like Ontario, massage therapists can’t practice without being registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. (Those who did their massage therapy training outside of Ontario have historically had to undergo the Massage Therapy Education and Credential Assessment (MTECA) to ensure qualifications are equivalent to those provided by Ontario’s education programs. This process is currently under review.)
Individuals who engage in the services of an MT will generally pay less per hour than for those who have an RMT designation. However, only those with an RMT qualification can issue a receipt to clients that can be submitted to insurance benefits for reimbursement.
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How long does it take to become a massage therapist in Canada?
The time required to become a Certified Massage Therapist in Canada varies depending on the province or territory. Massage therapists are typically required to complete an 18- to 24-month or 18- to 36-month program in massage therapy from an accredited school, along with a period of supervised practical training and then pass an examination administered by a provincial regulatory body. Once you have met all the requirements, you can apply for registration as a Certified Massage Therapist.
Massage therapy is regulated in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia.
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Can a massage therapist work anywhere in Canada?
After successfully completing the required 2,200-hour program and registering with the National Health Practitioners of Canada, you can work anywhere in Canada, although you may still need to satisfy certain provincial regulatory requirements.
Massage therapy is regulated in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Registration with a regulatory body is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and British Columbia. In some provinces, such as B.C., you may have to pass a provincial exam or additional courses.
Regardless of provincial requirements, you can practice Therapeutic Massage in any province, but you may have to advertise your business as a “Massage Practitioner” to satisfy local regulations.
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How much do massage therapists make in Canada?
Income varies for massage therapists depending on what region you’re in, and what sort of facility you work at. Registered massage therapists can often charge more than non-registered massage therapists.
According to Indeed, the average registered massage therapist makes $61.14/hour, or $89,199 annually. Most one-hour massage appointments are now between $80 and $150 an hour, with rates increasing as MTs gain experience.
Certification
Under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), regulated professions, including Massage Therapy, have mutual recognition of credentials across provinces.
Individuals who have trained in Massage Therapy internationally or in a Canadian province where Massage Therapy is not regulated will have to apply to the College of Massage Therapy in the province they reside to determine if they are able to practice.
Requirements vary by province:
- Alberta: You must complete a training program, usually an 18-month to two-year commitment, with a minimum of 2,200 hours of training and joining the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta or a similar association.
- British Columbia: You must complete a two-year massage therapy college program from an accredited school or apprenticeship, including supervised practical training. You must also pass written and practical exams; be certified in standard First Aid Level C and CPR as well as pass a background check. RMTs must renew their registration with CMTBC every year.
- Manitoba: The Massage Therapy Association of Manitoba requires a minimum of 2,200 hours of academic and practical/clinical education from an approved curriculum. The school you choose should follow the National Competency Standards for Massage Therapists and the associated performance indicators for those who want to practice in Canada.
- New Brunswick: You must graduate from a massage therapy program and pass both the practical and theory and knowledge exams. Then, you must be approved to be accepted as a member of the Regulatory College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick.
- Nova Scotia: You must obtain a Massage Therapy Diploma or proof of graduation from a 2,200-hour Massage Therapy Program, encompassing the minimum standard of education as established by the Canadian Massage Therapy Association, from a university, college or school or licensed by the respective educational authority of the province. Criminal record check is also required alongside a current certificate of a minimum Emergency First Aid CPR/AED Level A training.
- Ontario: After completing your formal education of an 18- 24-month or 18- to 36-month program, all candidates must take the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario’s (CMTO) Certification Examinations and register with CMTO to be eligible to practise. Only those people registered with CMTO are permitted to use the titles “Registered Massage Therapist” or “Massage Therapist” and use the letters “RMT” or “MT” with their names. Both titles are equivalent, which means that the holder of the title is registered with CMTO.
- Prince Edward Island: All new applicants to the College of Massage Therapists of PEI must have successfully completed a post-secondary diploma or degree program in massage therapy approved by the Council; have passed a competency exam in a regulated Canadian province that has been approved and passed a Jurisprudence Examination.
- Québec: Training in a certified school and practical supervised training is required along with membership in a Québec professional massage therapy association such as the Fédération québécoise des massothérapeutes agréés (FQM), which has the highest standards in the province. To use the “massothérapeute agréé” designation, you must complete a minimum of 400 hours of professional training in an accredited school then join the FQM community. FQM member massage therapists with more than 1,000 hours of training receive the “agréé certifé” designation and get better recognition from employers and certain insurance companies.
- Saskatchewan: To become a Registered Massage Therapist with the Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan, a person must graduate from a minimum 2,200 hour massage therapy program provided by a recognized massage therapy institute, provide a criminal records check and have current CPR Level C and Standard First Aid certification. Although legislation to regulate the profession has been passed in Saskatchewan, it has not yet come into force.
- Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon: There are no massage therapy schools in the Canadian Territories and the field is unregulated. The general education requirement is a diploma in massage therapy that requires 2,200 hours of study.
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$13,923
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$13,923
Scholarships available
Tuition & Completion Data
Domestic
Below are CourseCompare’s real-time tuition calculations based on hundreds of programs and courses across Canada. These exclude ancillary fees (fees for on-campus services, textbooks, athletics, insurance and more).
Last updated: September 6, 2024
International
See below for the latest data on international student tuition across Canada, excluding housing costs and ancillary fees.
Source: Statistics Canada 2023
Careers
The demand for skilled massage therapists in Canada is expected to grow according to the federal government’s projections, thanks to growing awareness of the health benefits of massage, increasing coverage by insurance plans, and an aging population.
Although it’s been a balanced job market in recent years, there is an anticipated shortage in massage therapists over the next five-plus years. Between 2022 and 2031, they project 36,000 job openings for massage therapists and natural healing practitioners, but just 28,300 job seekers in that same timeframe. This means ample opportunity for newly qualified massage therapists seeking to establish a practice in the next few years.
Income varies for massage therapists depending on what region you’re in, and what sort of facility you work at. Registered massage therapists can often charge more than non-registered massage therapists. According to Indeed, the average registered massage therapist makes $61.14/hour, or $89,199 annually. Most one-hour massage appointments are between $80 and $150 an hour, with rates increasing as MTs gain experience.
Salaries
Massage therapy professionals earn a good income, particularly if they own their practice. The federal government’s Job Bank reports a lower average of $30,847 annually, but Glassdoor and Indeed indicate the average massage therapist salary is closer to $80,000-$90,000.
The following salaries represent the average hourly rate for a registered massage therapist according to Indeed:
| Province or Territory | Average Hourly Rate for Registered Massage Therapists |
|---|---|
| Average in Canada | $61.14 |
| Alberta | $51.96 |
| British Columbia | $76.16 |
| Manitoba | $57.94 |
| New Brunswick | $55.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $55.34 |
| Northwest Territories | Insufficient data |
| Nova Scotia | $45.90 |
| Nunavut | Insufficient data |
| Ontario | $64.26 |
| Prince Edward Island | $48.05 |
| Quebec | $39.37 |
| Saskatchewan | $51.17 |
| Yukon | Insufficient data |