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Massage therapy school in California

18 massage therapy programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

14 schools offer these massage therapy programs, and California has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Massage therapists press and work the body's soft tissues and joints to treat their clients. A diploma or certificate takes several months or more, and most states require a license or certification, usually an approved massage therapy program and a passed exam.1 In 46 of the 49 places that regulate massage, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands among them, the licensing exam is the MBLEx from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.2

In California, 4 of the 18 programs take students without a high school diploma and 14 ask for a diploma or equivalent.

All 18 are the same kind of program: massage therapy certificate or diploma.

See the 18 programs

How much does massage therapy school cost in California?

$8,925 to $14,403 is what most massage therapy programs in California cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 18 programs with a price. All of them: $4,499 to $20,261

In the typical program

Finished the program
78%
Working 6 months later
80%
Earned a year, estimated
about $52,000
Length
30 to 39 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in California may also offer massage therapy school. How these figures are made

Is there free massage therapy school in California?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 18 massage therapy programs in California approved for WIOA funding

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18 programs

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapist and Health Educator Program

    National Holistic Institute

    Emeryville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    National Holistic Institute, EmeryvilleMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$10,818

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Massage Therapist and Health Educator Program at National Holistic Institute
    More details about Massage Therapist and Health Educator Program at National Holistic Institute
    Finished
    77%
    Working at 6 months
    49%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,182
    Students counted
    1,996
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,818
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Massage Therapist and Health Educator Program at National Holistic Institute

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapist

    Healing Hands School of Holistic Health - Main

    Escondido

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Healing Hands School of Holistic Health - Main, EscondidoMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$52,000
    Price if you pay yourself$9,000

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Massage Therapist at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health - Main
    More details about Massage Therapist at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health - Main
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    54%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,000
    Length
    40 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,280
    Students counted
    675
    Earned a year, estimated
    $52,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,000
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Massage Therapist at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health - Main

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist and Health Educator

    National Holistic Institute

    Emeryville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    National Holistic Institute, EmeryvilleMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedLeft out
    Price if you pay yourself$20,261
    Program website, Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist and Health Educator at National Holistic Institute
    More details about Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist and Health Educator at National Holistic Institute
    Finished
    48%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    Left out
    Length
    72 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,689
    Students counted
    453
    Earned a year, estimated
    Left out
    Price if you pay yourself
    $20,261
    Program website, Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist and Health Educator at National Holistic Institute

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.

    Santa Ana

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc., Santa AnaMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$54,100
    Price if you pay yourself$7,000
    Program website, Massage Therapy at American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.
    More details about Massage Therapy at American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.
    Finished
    98%
    Working at 6 months
    90%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,520
    Length
    31 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $735
    Students counted
    280
    Earned a year, estimated
    $54,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,000
    Program website, Massage Therapy at American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Advanced Professional Massage Therapy

    Southern California Health Institute

    North Hollywood

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Southern California Health Institute, North HollywoodMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$56,200
    Price if you pay yourself$14,500

    26 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Advanced Professional Massage Therapy at Southern California Health Institute
    More details about Advanced Professional Massage Therapy at Southern California Health Institute
    Finished
    73%
    Working at 6 months
    56%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,040
    Length
    37 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,665
    Students counted
    206
    Earned a year, estimated
    $56,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,500
    students trained with WIOA funding
    26
    Program website, Advanced Professional Massage Therapy at Southern California Health Institute

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    Milan Institute

    Visalia

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Milan Institute, VisaliaMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$14,112
    Program website, Massage Therapy at Milan Institute
    More details about Massage Therapy at Milan Institute
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    44%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    34 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,388
    Students counted
    195
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,112
    Program website, Massage Therapy at Milan Institute

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide (Blended)

    California Healing Arts College

    Carson

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    California Healing Arts College, CarsonMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$40,100
    Price if you pay yourself$17,850

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide (Blended) at California Healing Arts College
    More details about Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide (Blended) at California Healing Arts College
    Finished
    66%
    Working at 6 months
    65%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,022
    Length
    36 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $145
    Students counted
    149
    Earned a year, estimated
    $40,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $17,850
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide (Blended) at California Healing Arts College

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    Downey Adult School

    Downey

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Downey Adult School, DowneyMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$56,100
    Price if you pay yourself$4,499

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Massage Therapy at Downey Adult School
    More details about Massage Therapy at Downey Adult School
    Finished
    99%
    Working at 6 months
    85%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,037
    Length
    32 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    128
    Earned a year, estimated
    $56,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,499
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    Program website, Massage Therapy at Downey Adult School

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide

    American College of Healthcare and Technology

    Riverside

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American College of Healthcare and Technology, RiversideMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$12,963

    9 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide at American College of Healthcare and Technology
    More details about Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide at American College of Healthcare and Technology
    Finished
    63%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $33
    Students counted
    95
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,963
    students trained with WIOA funding
    9
    Program website, Massage Therapist and Physical Therapy Aide at American College of Healthcare and Technology

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Holistic Massage Therapist

    Fair Oaks Massage Institute

    Fair Oaks

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fair Oaks Massage Institute, Fair OaksMassage therapy certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$10,250

    11 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Holistic Massage Therapist at Fair Oaks Massage Institute
    More details about Holistic Massage Therapist at Fair Oaks Massage Institute
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    98%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    24 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    85
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,250
    students trained with WIOA funding
    11
    Program website, Holistic Massage Therapist at Fair Oaks Massage Institute

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist

    National Holistic Institute

    Emeryville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    National Holistic Institute, EmeryvilleMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedLeft out
    Price if you pay yourself$9,443
    Program website, Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist at National Holistic Institute
    More details about Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist at National Holistic Institute
    Finished
    71%
    Working at 6 months
    76%
    Earned in a quarter
    Left out
    Length
    24 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $557
    Students counted
    77
    Earned a year, estimated
    Left out
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,443
    Program website, Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist at National Holistic Institute

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapist (Certified)

    Somatherapy Institute School of Massage

    Rancho Mirage

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Somatherapy Institute School of Massage, Rancho MirageMassage therapy certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$44,000
    Price if you pay yourself$8,190

    15 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Massage Therapist (Certified) at Somatherapy Institute School of Massage
    More details about Massage Therapist (Certified) at Somatherapy Institute School of Massage
    Finished
    92%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,000
    Length
    46 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $585
    Students counted
    73
    Earned a year, estimated
    $44,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,190
    students trained with WIOA funding
    15
    Program website, Massage Therapist (Certified) at Somatherapy Institute School of Massage

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Massage Therapist Program

    Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute

    Santa Barbara

    No diploma needed

    Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute, Santa BarbaraMassage therapy certificate or diplomaIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$45,000
    Price if you pay yourself$9,600

    10 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Massage Therapist Program at Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute
    More details about Massage Therapist Program at Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute
    Finished
    82%
    Working at 6 months
    88%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,250
    Length
    30 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    54
    Earned a year, estimated
    $45,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,600
    students trained with WIOA funding
    10
    Program website, Massage Therapist Program at Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Massage and Physical Therapy Aide

    Center for Employment Training -Main Campus

    San Jose

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Center for Employment Training -Main Campus, San JoseMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$23,900
    Price if you pay yourself$15,249
    Program website, Massage and Physical Therapy Aide at Center for Employment Training -Main Campus
    More details about Massage and Physical Therapy Aide at Center for Employment Training -Main Campus
    Finished
    79%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,978
    Length
    30 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    51
    Earned a year, estimated
    $23,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $15,249
    Program website, Massage and Physical Therapy Aide at Center for Employment Training -Main Campus

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed

    Healthcare Massage Therapy

    Universal Healthcare Careers College

    Los Angeles

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Universal Healthcare Careers College, Los AngelesMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$13,800
    School website, Healthcare Massage Therapy at Universal Healthcare Careers College
    More details about Healthcare Massage Therapy at Universal Healthcare Careers College
    Finished
    85%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,690
    Students counted
    20
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,800
    School website, Healthcare Massage Therapy at Universal Healthcare Careers College

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy/Sports Massage Therapy

    American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.

    Santa Ana

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc., Santa AnaMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$66,600
    Price if you pay yourself$8,900
    Program website, Massage Therapy/Sports Massage Therapy at American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.
    More details about Massage Therapy/Sports Massage Therapy at American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $16,640
    Length
    48 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $735
    Students counted
    14
    Earned a year, estimated
    $66,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,900
    Program website, Massage Therapy/Sports Massage Therapy at American Institute of Massage Therapy, Inc.

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    University of Antelope Valley

    Lancaster

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    University of Antelope Valley, LancasterMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$14,753
    Program website, Massage Therapy at University of Antelope Valley
    More details about Massage Therapy at University of Antelope Valley
    Finished
    67%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    35 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,352
    Students counted
    12
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,753
    Program website, Massage Therapy at University of Antelope Valley

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Holistic Massage Practitioner

    Fair Oaks Massage Institute

    Fair Oaks

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Fair Oaks Massage Institute, Fair OaksMassage therapy certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,725
    Program website, Holistic Massage Practitioner at Fair Oaks Massage Institute
    More details about Holistic Massage Practitioner at Fair Oaks Massage Institute
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $13
    Students counted
    11
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,725
    Program website, Holistic Massage Practitioner at Fair Oaks Massage Institute

How to pay for massage therapy school in California

WIOA funding can pay for massage therapy school in California

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for massage therapy school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for massage therapy school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Massage therapy school in California

programs with a price cost under $10,000
8 of 18
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
13th of 22
most massage therapy programs of any state, after Washington and Ohio
3rd

State comparisons use the same figures as the massage therapy school by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Massage therapy school in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Riverside and other California cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 2 more programs are in 2 other areas.

Other training in California

How massage therapy school compares with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in California

Where the California massage therapy program numbers come from

Which California massage therapy programs are on this list?

These are the massage therapy programs California approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what California offers.

How the prices and results of California massage therapy programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about massage therapy school in California

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Massage Therapists
  2. Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards: Examination (MBLEx)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List