Massage Therapists
Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
AI Impact Summary
Massage Therapists faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 21/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 8% of all analyzed occupations. Of 14 analyzed tasks, 1 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Massage Therapists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
14 tasks analyzed
Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
Maintain treatment records.
Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.
Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin.
Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients' recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 30% | |
| Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful. | 61.52Observed | 39.6% | 10% | |
| Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body. | 60Observed | 33.0% | 20% | |
| Maintain treatment records. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 5% | |
| Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 8% | |
| Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises. | 69.08Observed | 42.6% | 5% | |
| Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary. | 57.35Observed | 37.9% | 2% | |
| Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 2% | |
| Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients' recovery, relaxation, and well-being. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 29.5%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$57,950
per year
Mean Wage
$63,430
per year
Employment
96K
workers
Wage Range
$33,280 - $97,450
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsBarbers
20%Median salary: $38,960
Higher risk than 6% of other occupations
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
21%Median salary: $35,250
Higher risk than 10% of other occupations
Manicurists and Pedicurists
22%Median salary: $34,660
Higher risk than 10% of other occupations
Skincare Specialists
23%Median salary: $41,560
Higher risk than 14% of other occupations
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
23%Median salary: $37,120
Higher risk than 14% of other occupations
Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
25%Median salary: $46,180
Higher risk than 19% of other occupations
Tour Guides and Escorts
30%Higher risk than 37% of other occupations
Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
32%Median salary: $45,590
Higher risk than 49% of other occupations
Teacher Assistants
33%Higher risk than 54% of other occupations
File Clerks
48%Median salary: $41,270
Higher risk than 95% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Massage Therapists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Service Orientation
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change