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Complementary Medicine Practitioner, Manual Therapist, Masseur, Masseuse
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Massage therapists may be trained in various massage techniques, including:
In general, they:
Massage therapists may work in private practice or as part of a multidisciplinary health-care team. They usually work with one client at a time. Therapists may often help or assist clients onto or off the treatment table. Those who travel to client offices and homes must lift and move equipment that weighs up to 35 kilograms.
The work is physically demanding. It requires standing for long periods of time. Hours of work depend on each work setting and therapist. Some massage therapists work evenings and weekends. Others work part time in several locations.
Full-time work for a massage therapist is considered to be 5 massage treatments a day for 5 days weekly. That works out to 25 hours of treatment time. An additional 5 to 7 hours of record-keeping and other duties make for a total of 30-32 hours of work.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in analyzing information obtained from tests and health care professionals to develop treatment plans; in providing courses of treatment for medical conditions, injuries and for maintenance of wellness; and in maintaining records of patients' treatments
Interest in assisting patients by providing treatment, prescribing remedial exercises and discussing follow-up care; may work with other health care professionals when appropriate
Interest in operating equipment to administer treatments; in conducting range of motion and muscle testing; and in providing massage therapy to treat medical conditions and injuries
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Massage therapists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 158 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 20, 2023 and Nov 20, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Administer massage techniques through soft tissue manipulation, relaxation techniques, hydrotherapy, trigger point therapy, joint pain and lower grade mobilizations | 145 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body | 144 |
| Tasks: Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body | 131 |
| Tasks: Assess clients by conducting range of motion and muscle tests and propose treatment plans | 124 |
| Tasks: Explain procedures, risks and benefits to clients | 115 |
| Tasks: Maintain records of treatments given | 104 |
| Tasks: Suggest home care instructions and provide information about techniques | 98 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 93 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 73 |
| Certificates, Licences, Memberships, and Courses : Certification by a provincial or territorial association for massage therapists | 71 |
Massage therapy is not a regulated health profession in Alberta.
Some municipalities require massage therapists to be licensed under local bylaws or to provide an annual police security clearance.
To join a professional massage therapy association, a student must complete an educational program of no less than 2,200 hours of training. This is also required for clients to have treatment costs reimbursed by health benefits insurance companies.
Several private vocational schools in Alberta offer training programs, often in specific massage techniques. Before choosing a training program, prospective massage therapists should discuss their education options with people who already work in this field.
Massage therapists should attend ongoing professional development workshops to keep their skills up to date. Continuing education programs may be offered on an as-needed basis.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most massage therapists are self-employed. They work as independent contractors. They may travel to clients’ offices or homes, or they may work in:
Massage therapists may also work in clinics shared with other health-care providers. These may include:
Advancement in this field most often takes the form of building a larger client base. Business management skills are an asset.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Massage therapists
2016 NOC: 3236
84.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Income in this occupation depends on the type of employment, location, and number of clients. Massage therapists may charge from $40 to $90 for a half-hour treatment and $65 to $175 for a 1-hour treatment (2024 estimates).
Massage therapists generally bill 20 to 30 client hours a week, depending on their schedule.
Massage therapists who contract their services to clinics often receive a percentage (60%-80%) of billings.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $42.00 | $30.65 | $35.75 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $57.69 | $38.11 | $40.81 |
| Top | $15.00 | $65.00 | $43.97 | $50.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $46,971 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $48,655 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $57,398 |
Canadian Council of Massage Therapy Schools (CCMTS) website: www.ccmts.ca
Canadian Massage and Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA) website: cmmota.com
Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation (CMTA) website: www.cmtca.ca
Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association (CSMTA) website: www.csmta.ca
Certified Registered Massage Therapist Association (CRMTA) website: crmta.com
Massage Therapists Association of Alberta (MTAA) website: www.mtaalberta.com
Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) website: www.nhpcanada.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
