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.
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services was the 280th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 10,751 degrees in this year alone. This 111 less than the prior year, a decrease of 1.0%.
Our 2023 Best Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services Schools ranking analyzes 48 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for somatic bodywork and therapeutic services students. Explore this or one of our many other custom somatic bodywork rankings further below.
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.
somatic bodywork and therapeutic services degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional somatic bodywork certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different somatic bodywork degree levels. Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest somatic bodywork degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a somatic bodywork degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to somatic bodywork, with approximately 18.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to somatic bodywork tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 35.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 14.4% |
| High School Diploma | 12.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.7% |
About 53.6% of workers in careers related to somatic bodywork obtain at least associate degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in somatic bodywork and therapeutic services have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which somatic bodywork career you choose.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your somatic bodywork degree? Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services careers are expected to grow 26.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to somatic bodywork and therapeutic services.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Massage Therapists | 202,400 | 26.3% |
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $19,916 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $8,650 to as high as $30,938. As you might expect, salaries for somatic bodywork graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for somatic bodywork and therapeutic services graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers somatic bodywork grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Massage Therapists | $45,880 |
With over 613 different somatic bodywork degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased somatic bodywork school rankings to help you with this.
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services is one of 30 different types of Health Professions programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage | 10,595 |
| Asian Bodywork Therapy | 115 |
| Somatic Bodywork | 39 |
| Other Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | 2 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 322,592 |
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
