Massage Therapy Income in Alabama: What Licensed Therapists Earn
- DMS
- Aug 9
- 5 min read
Alabama wage data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports wage data for massage therapists under occupation code 31-9011.
The latest state-level figures cited from the BLS May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics are:
Alabama wage level | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
10th percentile | $24,930 | $11.99 |
25th percentile | $31,610 | $15.20 |
Median | $48,960 | $23.54 |
75th percentile | $65,150 | $31.32 |
90th percentile | $89,750 | $43.15 |
Annual figures use a full-time schedule of 2,080 hours.
Massage therapy work often uses part-time schedules. Actual annual income can differ from the annualized figures.
The BLS data cover wage and salary employees. They do not fully measure self-employed therapists. They also do not separate licensed and unlicensed workers in the occupation category.
Alabama requires a massage therapy license to practice legally. The wage data therefore provide a general employment benchmark. They do not guarantee a specific income for every licensed therapist.
What the wage levels mean
The percentile figures show the range reported for massage therapists in Alabama.
The 10th percentile is about $24,930 per year.
The median is $48,960 per year. Half of reported workers earn more. Half earn less.
The 75th percentile is $65,150 per year.
The 90th percentile is $89,750 per year.
These figures do not represent automatic starting salaries. Entry-level therapists may begin below the median. Earnings can increase with experience, client retention, additional training, and expanded services.
Factors that affect income
Massage therapist income varies by work arrangement and location.
Work setting
Common settings include:
Chiropractic offices
Medical and rehabilitation clinics
Spas
Wellness centers
Hotels and resorts
Fitness centers
Sports facilities
Franchise massage businesses
Private practices
Mobile massage services
Each setting uses different pay structures.
Some employers pay an hourly wage.
Some pay by completed session.
Some use commission structures.
Some combine base pay with tips.
Private practitioners may collect the full session fee. They also pay for rent, supplies, scheduling software, insurance, advertising, taxes, and other business costs.
Schedule
A therapist working fewer sessions per week may have a lower annual income than a full-time therapist.
A full schedule does not mean every available hour becomes a client appointment. Therapists also spend time on:
Intake forms
Room preparation
Cleaning
Documentation
Scheduling
Client communication
Continuing education
Business administration
Actual income depends on booked sessions and payment structure.
Experience
Experience can affect job options and client demand.
New therapists may begin in employee positions.
Experienced therapists may move into:
Higher-paying specialty services
Clinic-based work
Sports massage
Medical massage
Neuromuscular techniques
Private practice
Mobile services
Instructor roles
Business ownership
Specialty work may require additional education. It may also require separate employer or payer requirements.
Location
Income can differ between Alabama markets.
Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile, Dothan, and smaller communities have different employer types and client populations.
Dothan therapists may serve clients from the Wiregrass area and nearby parts of Florida and Georgia.
Local job availability matters. So does the ability to build a repeat client base.
Licensed massage therapist training in Alabama
Alabama licensure requires approved education and a national examination.
The Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board identifies a minimum education requirement of 650 hours.
Required coursework includes:
Anatomy and physiology
Myology
Osteology
Circulatory and nervous systems
Massage therapy theory
Massage techniques
Related modalities
Supervised massage practice
Business practices
Hydrotherapy
First aid and CPR
Professional ethics
Alabama massage therapy laws
Elective coursework
The board also requires applicants to pass an approved national examination. The MBLEx is one accepted examination option.
Applicants must also complete the board application process and meet other requirements. These may include a background check and professional liability insurance.
Review current requirements directly through the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board.
Requirements can change. Confirm current details before enrollment or application.
Dothan Massage School program details
Dothan Massage School offers a 650 Hour Massage Therapy Course.
Program information includes:
650 hours of massage therapy education
NCBTMB Approved Program
Certified by the Massage Therapy Board of Alabama
MyCAA funding acceptance
VA funding acceptance
Evening hands-on training
Evening clinicals
One to two training days per week
Licensing exam preparation included
The course is structured for students who need a limited weekly schedule.
The school contact page lists the program at approximately 11 months with one to two days per week and an evening class option.
An NCBTMB-approved program provides an additional national education standard. Check current approval information through the NCBTMB directory.
Funding options
Training cost affects the financial return of a new career.
Dothan Massage School states that it accepts MyCAA and VA funding.
MyCAA may apply to eligible military spouses.
VA education benefits may apply to eligible veterans and other qualified participants.
Eligibility depends on the individual benefit program. Funding may have limits, approval steps, and documentation requirements.
Contact the school and the relevant funding agency before registering.
The school also lists payment options and scholarship information. Terms may vary by student and enrollment period.
Flexible scheduling and income planning
A one to two day evening schedule can reduce the need to leave current employment during training.
Students can plan for:
Tuition
Books and supplies
Transportation
Exam fees
License application costs
Liability insurance
Lost work hours
Initial business expenses
A training schedule does not determine future income. It can affect how quickly a student completes the program and enters the workforce.
A lower weekly class schedule may help students maintain daytime work. It may also require consistent attendance over the full program period.
Licensing exam preparation
Dothan Massage School includes licensing exam prep in the course.
The exam preparation component can address:
Anatomy and physiology review
Massage techniques
Client assessment
Ethics
Professional responsibilities
Contraindications
Safety
Practice questions
Test-taking procedures
The MBLEx is a national examination administered through the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
Official exam rules and registration information are available through the FSMTB MBLEx page.
Students should verify current Alabama exam and licensing requirements with the state board.
Income planning after graduation
Use the Alabama median wage as a reference point.
Do not treat it as a promise.
Review each job offer for:
Base pay
Commission rate
Tips
Session length
Required unpaid time
Cancellation policy
Employee classification
Benefits
Supplies
Insurance
Client booking expectations
Work schedule
Opportunities for advancement
Self-employed therapists must calculate net income after expenses.
Gross revenue is not take-home pay.
A private practice may provide more control over pricing and scheduling. It also creates more responsibility for operations and business costs.
Employed work may provide more predictable scheduling. It may provide fewer business responsibilities. It may also limit pricing control.
Both models are used in Alabama.
Career training information
People researching massage therapy schools in Alabama or massage schools Alabama can compare:
State board certification
Program hours
Hands-on training
Clinical requirements
Exam preparation
Funding options
Class schedules
Instructor qualifications
Completion time
Total program cost
Dothan Massage School provides a 650-hour massage therapy course for students seeking licensed massage therapist training Alabama.
The school serves Dothan and the surrounding Wiregrass area.
The phrase massage therapist dothan al commonly refers to local massage services and training options. Local students can review the school program before deciding whether massage therapy fits their career plans.
The school’s massage therapy course Alabama details are available through the official website.
Current enrollment information
The school website currently lists:
Next program begins October 21
Fall 2026 enrollment deadline October 10
Evening class option
One to two days per week
Licensing exam prep included
Confirm dates and available spaces before applying.
For enrollment information, contact:
Dothan Massage School 1558 Montgomery Hwy Suite 7 Dothan, AL 36303 Near Denton Road in Regency Plaza
Phone: (334) 439-0262 Email:dothanmassageschool@gmail.com
Use the Dothan Massage School contact page.
For application information, visit the enrollment page.
Income depends on employment type, schedule, experience, location, services, and business expenses.
Training provides the required education pathway.
Licensure permits legal practice after all state requirements are met.
Massage exam prep supports the examination process.
No school can guarantee a specific salary or job outcome.
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