- Salary statistics
- Massage therapist
Massage therapist
30 000 - 30 300 kr / month
Kropps- & skönhetsvård
Salary progression Massage therapist
What does a massage therapist do? – Tasks and work environment
A massage therapist works on treating and preventing muscle tension, pain, and stress-related issues in clients. Tasks include various forms of massage treatments, including classic and therapeutic massage, tailored to individual needs. Work often takes place in clinics, gyms, spa facilities, or within corporate health services. The work environment involves close contact with clients and demands good ergonomics, as the work is physically demanding and requires body awareness. Flexibility is common, since many massage therapists work part-time, have variable hours, and some run their own businesses.
Salary development over time
In the past three years, massage therapists' salaries have shown some variation. In 2022, the average salary was 29,100 SEK per month. The following year, 2023, it increased to 30 948 SEK, which is approximately a 6.4% rise. However, for 2024, the average salary has decreased slightly to 30 300 SEK, a reduction of about 2% compared to the previous year. This fluctuation may be linked to market changes, demand for services, and the fact that many massage therapists work part-time or as self-employed. Despite smaller fluctuations, the long-term trend remains stable, with the profession continuing to offer competitive salaries within body and beauty care.
Massage therapist salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 30 300 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data unavailable
- Hourly wage: 182 SEK/hour (based on 166 hours/month)
- Gender differences: Salary data for specific genders is unavailable
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as a massage therapist, a vocational education in massage is usually required, including both theoretical and practical components. The duration and scope of training vary, but certification through industry organizations is often possible. Internships are typically part of the education, and there are opportunities for further specialization in areas such as sports massage or medical massage. Prerequisites vary, but an interest in anatomy and health is advantageous.
- Vocational training: 1–2 years, often at private schools or folk high schools
- Certification: Through industry organizations such as the Body Therapists' Professional Association
- Internship: Included in most training programs
- Further education: Possible in areas like sports or medical massage
- Prerequisites: Interest in the human body and health is recommended
Many massage therapists choose to combine their profession with other health-related activities, such as personal training or nutritional advice, to create a broader and more stable income base.
Common benefits and compensations
Massage therapists often have access to benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and the ability to influence their own workload. Self-employed practitioners can control their vacation and time off, while employed therapists may be offered subsidized training or professional development. In some cases, bonuses related to the number of treatments performed are also available.
Competition and challenges
The competition within the profession is relatively high, especially in larger cities where the supply of massage therapists is large. A challenge is that many work part-time or are self-employed, which can lead to uncertain income and a need for marketing their services. The recruitment situation is characterized by difficulty finding the right skills, despite many part-time workers. To stand out in the job market, further education and specialization are often required. Another challenge is building a stable client base in an industry where demand can fluctuate over time.
Tips for aspiring massage therapists
To succeed as a massage therapist, it is good to be attentive, precise, and genuinely interested in helping others. Investing in thorough training and certification increases the chances of getting a job and building trust with clients. It is also important to be social and able to create a sense of security, as the profession involves a lot of personal contact. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to different clients' needs are crucial for success, especially if working with various treatment methods. Running your own business also requires entrepreneurial spirit and some business acumen. Good physical health and ergonomics are also important, as the work is physically demanding. Finally, continuous further education is beneficial to stay updated on new methods and trends in massage therapy.
Key facts about massage therapists
- Education level: Vocational training (1–2 years)
- Work environment: Clinics, gyms, spas, or own business
- Work form: Commonly part-time or self-employed
- Demand: Great opportunities for employment nationwide
- Special skills: Anatomy, massage, and treatment methods
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, massage therapists can choose to specialize in areas such as sports or medical massage, or expand their services with other health offerings like training or rehabilitation. Some start their own clinics or move into training new massage therapists. According to the latest forecast from the Employment Service, job opportunities in the field are expected to be plentiful, with demand remaining unchanged over the next five years. However, the recruitment situation is characterized by many working part-time, which can paradoxically make it difficult to find full-time employment. Currently, there are 36 job openings nationwide for masseurs and massage therapists.
Frequently asked questions about massage therapists
- What is the average salary of a massage therapist?
- A massage therapist has an average salary of 30 300 SEK per month. - What does the job market look like for massage therapists?
- The job market is good with great opportunities for employment and unchanged demand over the next five years. - What education is required to become a massage therapist?
- A vocational training of 1–2 years with certification through industry organizations is recommended. - Is part-time work or self-employment common?
- Yes, many massage therapists work part-time or run their own businesses. - What are common workplaces for massage therapists?
- Common workplaces include clinics, gyms, spa facilities, and corporate health services. - Are there regional salary differences?
- Reliable data on regional salary differences is not available. - What are the future prospects?
- Projections indicate continued strong demand and stable employment prospects for massage therapists.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30000 kr | 30300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30000 kr | 30300 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 30000 kr | 30300 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Massage therapist has the SSYK code 5143, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
-
Masseur Wanted at Axelsons SPA & Skin Clinic Malmö
Masseurs and massage therapists
Tue, 18 Nov 2025 - 16:38 -
Substitutes Wanted for Archipelago Spa on Birka Gotland
Masseurs and massage therapists
Sun, 16 Nov 2025 - 09:03
-
Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest
Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35 -
The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden
Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00