by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you are interested in a career that allows you to work with others and help them relieve their stress, consider majoring in Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services.
Students in this field take classes in kinesiology, physiology, pathology, anatomy, and massage therapy to learn the skills to massage, compress, and knead stress and tension from muscles. This will prepare you for a career in holistic medicine and allow you to help your patients find mind and body balance.
Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services students typically specialize in Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage, Asian Bodywork Therapy, or Somatic Bodywork.
A major in Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services explores Somatic Bodywork And Related Therapeutic Services. Read on to learn the essential details every somatic bodywork & therapeutic services student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering somatic bodywork & therapeutic services programs.
Nationwide, somatic bodywork & therapeutic services is a popular field of study, with 11,197 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services Schools ranking analyzes these 377 schools to determine the best overall colleges for somatic bodywork & therapeutic services students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of somatic bodywork & therapeutic services programs later in this article.
Studies in Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations somatic bodywork & therapeutic services graduates commonly enter.
Since you will be working with a variety of patients to help them find mind-body balance and relieve their tension, it is important to have strong analytical skills to determine which types of massage and areas of the body need to be relaxed in order to improve overall well-being. Professionals should also have strong interpersonal and communication skills to understand patients' needs and make them feel comfortable in their office.
Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services professionals typically work part time in salons, spas, health clubs, or clinics, but some professionals do find fulltime jobs. Professionals who are part time usually schedule appointments with patients, so they are able to make their own hours. Full time professionals work in offices and hold normal business hours.
Many professionals in the Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services profession have an associate's degree or certification in the field. However, there are some colleges that offer a bachelor's degree.
Skills developed in a somatic bodywork & therapeutic services program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a somatic bodywork & therapeutic services major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several somatic bodywork & therapeutic services degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3,654 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 440 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,090 |
People currently working in careers related to somatic bodywork & therapeutic services tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 31.5% |
| Master’s degree | 21.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in somatic bodywork & therapeutic services careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Somatic Bodywork and Therapeutic Services graduates work in a variety of locations from spas, salons, and health clubs to hospitals, chiropractic offices, and other medical offices. Some professionals are self-employed and will travel to patients' homes or other locations. You will be able to work anywhere that requires the services of masseuses, massage therapists, or other bodywork specialists.
Majoring in somatic bodywork & therapeutic services opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to somatic bodywork & therapeutic services.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to somatic bodywork & therapeutic services.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Massage Therapists | 893,791 | 7.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of somatic bodywork & therapeutic services graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $20,348 |
| 4 years | $22,219 |
| 5 years | $24,335 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for somatic bodywork & therapeutic services graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers somatic bodywork & therapeutic services grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Massage Therapists | $44,831 |
With 377 different somatic bodywork & therapeutic services programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased somatic bodywork & therapeutic services school rankings to help you.
Those considering somatic bodywork & therapeutic services, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage | 11,029 |
| Asian Bodywork Therapy | 140 |
| Somatic Bodywork | 28 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
