by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Somatic Bodywork covers Somatic Bodywork. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Promote Physical And Emotional Balance And Well-Being Through The Application Of Skilled Touch Principles And Techniques. Includes Instruction In Therapeutic Massage And Other Hands-On Touch Methods, Anatomy And Physiology, Structural/functional Integration And Various Holistic Health Systems (Rolfing/structural Integration, Colon Hydrotherapy, Breema, Hellerwork, Lymphatic Drainage, Rosen Method, Hydrotherapy, And Others), Client Counseling, Practice Management, And Applicable Regulations And Professional Standards. Read on to learn the essential details every somatic bodywork student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering somatic bodywork programs.
In the U.S., somatic bodywork is a popular field of study, with 28 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Somatic Bodywork Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for somatic bodywork students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of somatic bodywork programs later in this article.
Coursework for Somatic Bodywork build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations somatic bodywork graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a somatic bodywork program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a somatic bodywork major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several somatic bodywork 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 | 6 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 22 |
People currently working in careers related to somatic bodywork 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in somatic bodywork careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in somatic bodywork can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to somatic bodywork.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to somatic bodywork.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Massage Therapists | 893,791 | 7.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of somatic bodywork 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 graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers somatic bodywork grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Massage Therapists | $44,831 |
With 3 different somatic bodywork programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased somatic bodywork school rankings to help you.
Those considering somatic bodywork, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage | 11,029 |
| Asian Bodywork Therapy | 140 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
