Most Common Questions About Becoming a Massage Therapist [Updated for 2025]

We’ve been offering massage therapy training, including our Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy Program, for over 2 decades and we get a LOT of questions from prospective students. Here are the top questions we’ve received this year:

1. How long does it take to become a Massage Therapist?

Your time is limited but your budget is limited, too. Taking time off work to go back to school might be really scary. Our number 1 question, year over year, is “How long is the massage therapy program going to take?”  

At MaKami College, you can complete the advanced massage therapy program in 2 years. 

There are some shorter programs out there but MaKami College has the only registered massage therapy program in Alberta that meets advanced training requirements, provides in-depth knowledge from expert instructors and real-life hands-on experience, ensuring you develop the skills needed to excel in your career. 

Spending the extra time to be fully prepared to enter the job market IS worth it as you’ll be a better candidate to get the job, you can make more money, and you’re going to have an easier time fitting into your new workplace. 

2. What does your Massage Therapy program cost?

You would think this would be the #1 question, but it’s not because it doesn’t have to be. If you are worried at all about the cost of becoming a Registered Massage Therapist, please contact our Student Advisors who can give you more info on the financial assistance options available.  

3. How much does a Massage Therapist make​?

Salaries vary widely by location and number of hours worked, with the highest paid certified Massage Therapists in Canada making over $100,000 per year. A survey by talent.com put the average annual salary in Canada for registered Massage Therapists at around CAD$70,000, or $35 per hour if converted to full-time hours.

Pay varies according to experience, employment model and location. For example, in Alberta, a Massage Therapist can earn an average of $68,000, while in British Columbia that figure goes up to $96,000.

Read more about the different salary options for massage therapists. 

4. Do I have to work in a spa? What other career options are there?

There are lots of places to work that are looking for your massage therapy skills!  

Massage therapists have a variety of workplace options, including:

• Physiotherapy and chiropractic offices
• Hospitals and long-term care facilities
• Sports and fitness centres
• Wellness clinics
• Spas and resorts

Some of our graduates have gone on to work on cruise ships and sail around the world!

Self-Employment Opportunities

The possibility of working for yourself as a business owner or contractor may be the biggest draw if you wish to travel, maintain hobbies or existing careers, or raise a family while earning an income as a massage therapist. 

Most massage therapists who work for themselves need to develop a client base after massage therapy school and build slowly while working part-time in another massage therapy role or another job, so keep that in mind if you choose this route.

Read more about the Job Opportunities for Massage Therapists. 

5. Can I study at my own pace? Do you offer online classes?

Not everyone can attend full time classes all of the time, but hands-on learning is important for developing massage therapy skills. We offer multiple learning options to suit your needs and our blended ACMT program at our Calgary and Edmonton campuses offers online massage therapy courses with in-person clinicals in a hands-on environment.

The best way to understand the in-person vs online and self-paced studies is to talk to a Student Advisor. They can ensure that you start your program at the right time to maximize your options. 

Still have questions?

Everyone’s situation and goals are a bit different and you might have questions that weren’t included here. Please contact us and we’ll get back to you shortly!