Back to the national Massage Therapist profile

Massage Therapist in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Licensed local services

Indiana employs 1,480 massage therapists, with a statewide median of $55,590 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Massage therapists Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $55,590 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,140
Experienced (75th percentile): $72,800
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,140
Employed in Indiana: 1,480
U.S. median (for comparison): $54,660 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for massage therapists in major Indiana markets:

Indianapolis: $56,850 (660 employed)
Fort Wayne: $54,470 (120 employed)
Evansville: $52,560 (60 employed)
South Bend: $47,090 (80 employed)
Terre Haute: $44,830 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $55,590 median stretches to roughly $59,582 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Indiana (2024–2034)

Indiana is projected to grow massage therapists employment +13.7%, slower than the +15.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 340 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) — regulated by the Indiana Board of Massage Therapy — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA).

Complete a minimum of 625 hours of massage therapy education from an Indiana Board-approved massage school, covering anatomy, physiology, techniques, pathology, and ethics.
Pass the MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination). Be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma, and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Obtain professional liability insurance prior to certification.
Apply to the Indiana Board of Massage Therapy (IPLA) with a $100 fee. Renew every two years with 24 CE hours (within each 4-year period — 24 CE required every 4 years, not every 2 years).

Official requirements: Indiana Board of Massage Therapy — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) →

Training in Indiana

Indianapolis's spa and wellness market, sports medicine sector (Indiana Pacers, Colts, Indiana Fever team facilities), and large corporate wellness programs create LMT demand. Indiana's low cost of living makes self-employment viable earlier in a career. Indiana School of Health Sciences and Summit Salon Academy Kokomo are among the state's approved programs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Indiana include:

Don Roberts School of Hair Design — Certificate
Indiana Wellness College — Certificate
Ivy Tech Community College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who are physically strong, enjoy helping others, and want a licensed practice they can build independently.

Think twice if: Physical strain on hands and wrists, scheduling unpredictability as a self-employed practitioner, or close physical contact sound difficult.

Why it's resilient: Therapeutic touch, client relationships, and physical presence make massage therapy impossible to automate or offshore.

First Steps

Check your state's hour requirement and find a state-licensed massage therapy school — programs range from 500 to 1,000 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do massage therapists make in Indiana?

The median wage for massage therapists in Indiana is $55,590 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,140, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,140. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Massage Therapist in Indiana?

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), overseen by the Indiana Board of Massage Therapy — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Complete a minimum of 625 hours of massage therapy education from an Indiana Board-approved massage school, covering anatomy, physiology, techniques, pathology, and ethics.

Is being a Massage Therapist a good career in Indiana?

Therapeutic touch, client relationships, and physical presence make massage therapy impossible to automate or offshore.

Which Indiana metros pay massage therapists the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $56,850, followed by Fort Wayne ($54,470), Evansville ($52,560). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Massage Therapist in Indiana?

Real Indiana options include Don Roberts School of Hair Design, Indiana Wellness College, Ivy Tech Community College. Most massage therapists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Massage Therapist a growing career in Indiana?

Indiana projects massage therapists employment to change +13.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 340 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9011. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Board of Massage Therapy — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Indiana wages · Indiana licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.