Job prospects Massage Therapist (MT) in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "massage therapist (MT)" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Massage therapists (NOC 32201) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• The majority of massage therapists are self-employed in private practices

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Demand for massage services is expected to increase to meet the needs of a growing and aging population
• Growing use of complementary and alternative treatments such as massage therapy to manage chronic illnesses, and acute pain
• Consumers’ ability to pay the full or partial cost of massage therapy services

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Registration with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) is required to practise massage therapy

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends to meet client needs.

Here are some key facts about Massage therapists in Ontario:

• Approximately 12,450 people work in this occupation.
• Massage therapists mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 84%
  • Personal and laundry services (NAICS 812): 8%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 53% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 47% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 20% of massage therapists work all year, while 80% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 37 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 86% of massage therapists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 21% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 79% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 6% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 62% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 23% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology