Jobs Similar to Massage Therapists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to massage therapists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Acupuncturists, Physical Therapists and Chiropractors.
Massage Therapists: $58,450 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Massage Therapists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acupuncturists | 83% | $76,040+30% | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Physical Therapists | 81% | $102,760+76% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Chiropractors | 80% | $79,200+36% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Midwives | 79% | $65,790Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Occupational Therapists | 78% | $100,330+72% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Athletic Trainers | 77% | $62,520+7% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Naturopathic Physicians | 77% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Nurse Midwives | 76% | $134,040+129% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Exercise Physiologists | 75% | $59,460+2% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Recreational Therapists | 75% | $61,960+6% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Physical Therapist Assistants | 75% | $68,380+17% | Training or associate |
| 12 | Occupational Therapy Assistants | 75% | $72,300+24% | Training or associate |
| 13 | Orthoptists | 75% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Sports Medicine Physicians | 74% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians | 74% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | 74% | $47,160−19% | Training or associate |
| 17 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | 74% | $256,560+339% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | 74% | $292,910+401% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Physician Assistants | 74% | $135,880+132% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Occupational Therapy Aides | 73% | $39,160−33% | Training or associate |
- 1Acupuncturists
83% similar · $76,040 (+30%) · Graduate degree
- 2Physical Therapists
81% similar · $102,760 (+76%) · Graduate degree
- 3Chiropractors
80% similar · $79,200 (+36%) · Graduate degree
- 4Midwives
79% similar · $65,790 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 5Occupational Therapists
78% similar · $100,330 (+72%) · Graduate degree
- 6Athletic Trainers
77% similar · $62,520 (+7%) · Graduate degree
- 7Naturopathic Physicians
77% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 8Nurse Midwives
76% similar · $134,040 (+129%) · Graduate degree
- 9Exercise Physiologists
75% similar · $59,460 (+2%) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Recreational Therapists
75% similar · $61,960 (+6%) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Physical Therapist Assistants
75% similar · $68,380 (+17%) · Training or associate
- 12Occupational Therapy Assistants
75% similar · $72,300 (+24%) · Training or associate
- 13Orthoptists
75% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 14Sports Medicine Physicians
74% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 15Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
74% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 16Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
74% similar · $47,160 (−19%) · Training or associate
- 17General Internal Medicine Physicians
74% similar · $256,560 (+339%) · Graduate degree
- 18Obstetricians and Gynecologists
74% similar · $292,910 (+401%) · Graduate degree
- 19Physician Assistants
74% similar · $135,880 (+132%) · Graduate degree
- 20Occupational Therapy Aides
73% similar · $39,160 (−33%) · Training or associate
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than massage therapists.
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for massage therapists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where massage therapists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Acupuncturists (77)
- Occupational Therapy Assistants (76)
- Physical Therapist Assistants (76)
- Recreational Therapists (76)
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors (74)
- Physical Therapist Aides (74)
- Skincare Specialists (74)
- Occupational Therapy Aides (73)
- Exercise Physiologists (72)
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (72)
Questions about jobs like massage therapists
What jobs are most similar to massage therapists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Acupuncturists (83% similar), Physical Therapists (81% similar), Chiropractors (80% similar), Midwives (79% similar) and Occupational Therapists (78% similar).
Which jobs like massage therapists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($292,910, +401%; usually a graduate degree), General Internal Medicine Physicians ($256,560, +339%; usually a graduate degree) and Physician Assistants ($135,880, +132%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with massage therapists ($58,450). Without more preparation than massage therapists usually need: Occupational Therapy Assistants and Physical Therapist Assistants.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.