Number of Massage Therapists Grows 5.4% in Past Two Years
According to new research by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), the number of massage therapists in the U.S. has grown 5.4% to 293,531 as of January 2010, up from 278,089 in January 2008.
Les Sweeney, ABMP president and a nationally certified massage therapist, says “Massage continues to gain respect from the public and health professionals as a relaxing and restorative way to promote health and reduce stress. Massage has often attracted career changers in the past; now it’s even more attractive to people who want a second job because of the economy.”
Which state has the most massage therapists? California, with 41,645. The states with the most massage therapists are listed below in no particular order:
- California
- Washington
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Ohio
The state with the fewest massage therapists is North Dakota, with just 599. The states with the fewest number of massage therapists are listed below in no particular order:
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- Vermont
Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Vermont and Maine have the greatest penetration of massage therapists (i.e. the greatest number of residents per one massage therapist). ABMP is the nation’s largest massage membership association. It is headquartered in Golden, Colorado and has more than 71,000 massage therapist members.
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