Top Reasons to Start a Massage Therapy Career in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage therapy careers are proving to be a popular option for aspiring healthcare professionals in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, according to the National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI). Inquiries and new enrollments at NMTI's Falls Church, Virginia massage school reflect a high level of interest in this career field among residents of the Baltimore/Washington region. While individual motives for pursuing massage therapy training are as diverse as the students themselves, NMTI has compiled a list of some of the top reasons to start a massage therapy career in the Washington, D.C. metro area:

Above-Average Massage Therapist Employment and Industry Growth

According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) records, the Washington/Arlington/Alexandria metropolitan statistical area (MSA) employed 1,580 massage therapists as of May 2010, placing it among the top 10 MSAs in the country for massage therapist employment(1). (The nearby Baltimore/Towson MSA employed an additional 610 therapists(2).) In addition, BLS projections suggest that employment of massage therapists will grow 19% nationwide between 2008 and 2018 - which is faster than the average for all occupations(3). The high local employment levels and anticipated growth are likely a key consideration behind the strong interest in Washington, D.C. massage therapy schools.

Massage Therapist Salary Potential

BLS statistics also reveal good salary potential for massage therapists in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas. As of May 2010, massage therapists in the Washington/Arlington/Alexandria MSA earned a median salary of $48,380, while those in the more tightly defined metropolitan division earned $51,240(4). In the Baltimore/Towson MSA, the median massage therapist income was $63,810(5). This earning potential may also contribute to the number of students exploring D.C. and Maryland massage therapy schools.

D.C. Tourism and Cultural Factors

The Washington D.C. metropolitan area is a popular destination for both business and leisure travel. According to Destination D.C., the area hosted 15.54 million domestic visitors and 1.74 million overseas travelers in 2010, which placed it among the top 10 U.S. tourist destinations for overseas visitors(6). In addition, Travel + Leisure readers gave Washington, D.C. top marks as one of "America's Favorite Cities," ranking it #1 for museums and galleries, #2 for historical sites and monuments, and #3 as a cultural getaway(7). To meet tourist demand, the area boasts numerous hotels and resorts, many of which feature on-site spas. Travelers can even find massage services in the Washington Dulles (IAD) and Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airport terminals. As a result, the D.C. area offers visitors both recreation and relaxation.

Massage Therapist Training Can Be Completed in Under a Year

While many corporate and government jobs within the nation's capital require a four-year degree, massage therapists can complete their formal training in under a year. Students seeking a massage school in D.C. or a massage school in Baltimore may opt to pursue their education at NMTI's nearby Falls Church, Virginia campus, which offers a comprehensive 900-hour massage therapy training program that can be completed in as few as nine months.

Massage Therapy Employment Opportunities for NMTI Graduates

NMTI's massage therapy education not only leads to academic credentials, but it also prepares students to sit for the National Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB), which is required for licensure in most states and the District of Columbia. Upon completing NMTI's massage therapy training and passing the NCETMB exam, students are eligible to apply for state licensure and qualify for employment as a professional massage therapist. 

These are just a few of the many reasons to consider embarking on a massage therapy career in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. To learn more about the National Massage Therapy Institute, its Virginia massage school and the benefits of a massage therapy career, visit http://www.NMTI.edu or call 703-237-3905.

About the National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI)

The National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) has a singular focus and passion: professional massage therapy training. The school's Massage Therapy programs have been carefully crafted by industry experts and aim to produce highly qualified massage therapists to meet the industry's growing demand. NMTI is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). NMTI has four convenient locations in Northeast Philadelphia, PA.; Falls Church, VA.; Wilmington, DE.; and Egg Harbor Township, NJ. 

(1), (2) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. "Occupational Employment Statistics: Massage Therapists 319011." http://data.bls.gov/oes/search.jsp?data_tool=OES

(3) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Massage Therapists." Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition; December 17, 2009. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm#outlook

(4), (5) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. "Occupational Employment Statistics: Massage Therapists 319011." http://data.bls.gov/oes/msa.do

(6) Destination DC. Washington DC's 2010 Visitor Statistics. http://washington.org/planning/press-room/corporate-and-convention-info/research-and-statistics  

(7) "2011 Survey: America's Favorite Cities." Travel + Leisure; October 11, 2011. http://www.travelandleisure.com/americas-favorite-cities/2011   

Media Inquires:

Fernando A. Lopez
VP of Marketing
National Massage Therapy Institute
Phone: 212-677-9898, ext. 104
Cell: 347-882-3715
E-mail: [email protected]  

This press release distribution was issued by PR Syndication.

SOURCE National Massage Therapy Institute