The State of Hawaii Massage Therapist Requirements
Throughout the 4,028 square miles of the Aloha State, approximately 6,144 massage therapists work to help the more than 1.4 million people in their state find relief from pain, rehabilitation from injuries, and comfort in the midst of stress and anxiety.
With 348,985 people in Honolulu, 45,605 people in Pearl City, and 45,056 people in Hilo, massage therapists who work in Hawaii can find an engaged environment to open, continue, or join a massage therapy business.
How Do I Become A Massage Therapist in Hawaii?
If you’re ready to move into your career as a massage therapist in Hawaii, you must register with the Hawaii State Board of Massage Therapy. The registration fee is $50. Once you are registered, you must receive licensure by the Board. If you do not register, you will be working illegally and can receive a fine.
In order to receive this license, you must complete a minimum of 570 hours from an approved massage therapy program and be certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
You can find application request forms on their website.
Where Can I Study?
The Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy approves education programs that are licensed by the state department of education or approved by the Board, such as schools approved by the AMTA, COMTA, or Rolfing Institute.
Below are two approved schools in Hawaii to help you get started on what you may be looking for in a massage therapy education.
- Hawaii School of Professional Massage: Designed to “prepare students to enter the job market as qualified candidates for hire,” this school offers extensive training opportunities in the spa massage and medical massage areas. The school has served Hawaii for 13 years with training in key areas such as Swedish massage, deep-tissue, hot stone and therapeutic.
- Big Island Academy of Massage: Approved by the State of Hawaii Massage Board Licensing and an AMTA school member, students at this school will receive high quality education and many job opportunities. Big Island Academy of Massage is known as the “provider of the finest massage therapists” in the Big Island area.
Other education options include Remington College and Spa Luna Holistic School.
How Much Will I Earn?
The average annual wage of a massage therapist in Hawaii was $55,841 in 2021. This is on the higher side of state earnings, with the average national salary at $53,222. Massage therapists who work in the Maui/Kauai metropolitan area have the opportunity to earn a higher salary, with the average for this city at $66,590 annually.