If you decide to join West Virginia’s population of more than 1.8 million people, you’ll quickly find out why this is such a great state to live and work as a massage therapist. With plenty of natural resources, excellent outdoor recreation, and culture, West Virginia’s quality of life is enviable.

Massage therapists are in demand throughout West Virginia, so that means that it’s not difficult to find work in the state. Despite this ease with which you can find employment, it’s essential to remember that if you want to be hired for good jobs that offer reasonable salaries, you’ll generally need to have formal education in the field of massage. This is most commonly obtained in the form of a certificate or degree from one of West Virginia’s massage therapy institutes, four year universities, career colleges, or community colleges. If you’d like to get one of your own, you’ll need to complete a program, which almost always includes curriculum for massage techniques, patient interaction and assessment, anatomy, kinesiology, ethics, business management, and the history and theories of massage.

By earning a certificate or degree, you’ll easily be able to make good on your educational investment once you graduate. The hard part for most is coming up with the initial investment to complete a program in massage therapy. If that’s the case for you, turn to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for help with financial aid. Through this organization, you’ll be able to learn about need-based and merit-based scholarships available only to West Virginia students, as well as additional grants, loans, scholarships, and other programs.

Working as a massage therapist in West Virginia means a life with numerous options. You can work in a large city with lots of opportunities, or settle into a small town. There are a variety of settings in which to work as well, the most common of which include hospitals, spas, nursing homes, fitness centers, resorts, and occupational clinics.

West Virginia offers massage therapists a comfortable lifestyle, as professionals in Charleston will generally earn between $26,000 and $60,000. In order to ensure that you will receive the highest salary possible, take advantage of every opportunity available to you to receive more education and experience that will enhance your career.

Top Massage Therapy Programs

	U.S. Career Institute - At the U.S. Career Institute, students will be taught alternative health treatments to assist people in feeling better. With a number of organizations hiring in various positions, don't pass up this opportunity to go back to school and start a great career.
	Boca Beauty Academy of Massage - If you're interested in becoming a massage therapist, Boca Beauty Academy of Massage offers a fantastic program for students interested in this growing industry.
Cincinnati Cleveland	Center for Massage & Natural Health - The Center for Massage & Natural Health assists students in reaching their goal of becoming a massage therapist affordably and conveniently.
Boston Tampa Scottsdale	Cortiva Institute for Massage - Cortiva Institute for Massage prepares aspiring massage therapists with a rigorous program in the field of massage therapy. With locations available across the country, students can get prepared quickly.