Massage Therapy at Center for Massage

Asheville, NC · Private for-profit · Certificate · Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services

a compact campus enrolling 57 students in Asheville, NC.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $15,452 place Center for Massage below the $20,587 national median for Massage Therapy — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Some AI exposure exists in Massage Therapy's career paths, with 27% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 38% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $15,452 far exceeding the $6,333 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #174 of 224 Massage Therapy programs, Center for Massage falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $23,682 show a 53% jump from the $15,452 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Massage Therapy has a registered apprenticeship option through Certified Massage Therapist (Cmt) with a median wage of $57,950/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
37
Score
37
High End
Earnings $15,452/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (73% shielded)
Job Market Large (52,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$262K
11.3% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$6,333
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$23,682
53% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Massage Therapy graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Massage therapists $57,950 +15.4% 93%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Massage therapists
$57,950
+15.4% growth 93% AI-proof

Massage Therapy Career Guide

Massage Therapy opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Massage Therapy career guide →

Compare & Explore

Massage Therapy Overview

Massage Therapy at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Center for Massage's Massage Therapy program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Massage Therapy. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Center for Massage a good choice for Massage Therapy despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Center for Massage's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
How could AI change the job market for Massage Therapy graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 38% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
How many job openings are there for Massage Therapy graduates?
The large job market (52,100 annual openings) works in favor of Massage Therapy graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →