What High School Grads Should Know Before Choosing Massage School

🎓 Just Graduated—Now What?

If you’ve just finished high school and are wondering what’s next, you’re not alone. A traditional 4-year college isn’t the right fit for everyone—and that’s okay.

Massage therapy might not have been on your radar, but it’s one of the most hands-on, meaningful, and flexible careers out there. And the best part? You don’t have to wait four years to get started.

Here’s what you should know before jumping into massage school as a recent grad.

💡You Have Options—And They’re Not All the Same

Massage therapy schools come in all shapes and sizes:

• Online or hybrid massage therapy programs that let you learn the basics from home

• Hands-on schools that require full-time, in-person attendance

• Weekend or flexible formats that allow for work/life balance

At Contatto Wellness, we offer a hybrid massage therapy program—designed for students who want structure and support, but also flexibility. Having taught massage for over 15 years, we have seen every kind of massage student - and they all learn differently. We want to make you as comfortable in the program as possible, because we know that is paramount to your success. 

Before choosing a school, these are some questions you should consider asking yourself: 

• How do you learn best?

• Do you feel comfortable in a hands-on massage training setting?

• Do you want to travel or stay close to home?

• How much support do you want or expect from instructors and administration?

📘Massage School Isn’t Just “Learning to Rub Backs”

Massage therapists study:

• Anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology

• Client communication, session planning, and ethics

• Real-world business and career planning

• Clinical hands-on massage techniques

It’s a blend of science, skill, and art—and it’s more intellectually rich than many people expect.

If you love biology, psychology, or working with your hands, this could be a perfect fit. Massage therapy is a healthcare profession, and you shouldn’t take that lightly. If you want a career helping people in profound, and often immediately recognizable, ways, massage is a fantastic option!

⏱️You Can Start Working Sooner Than You Think

Most massage therapy programs take 6 months to a year, not 2 or 4 years. Once you pass the MBLEx exam and get licensed, you can:

• Work at a spa or wellness center

• Start your own massage business

• Travel while working

• Continue learning with advanced massage training

• Create your own career

A career in massage can open a lot of doors, including some of your own invention! Massage school doesn’t take a long time either - you can start massage school in many programs (including ours) and be licensed and practicing within a year. Doesn’t studying on your own time for six to nine months, coming to Costa Rica for a HANDS session, and being licensed in your state and making money by this time next year sound like a pretty good plan? We sure think so!

🧘🏽‍♀️It’s a Career That Grows With You

Massage therapy isn’t just a job—it can become a long-term career, especially if you:

• Want to help people manage pain or stress

• Love learning new massage modalities

• Dream of working in wellness, retreats, or holistic health

You might start in one setting and eventually teach, travel, or specialize. There’s so much room to grow, and so many opportunities to expand your horizons. There are incredible opportunities to learn modalities or become certified in advanced practices in the massage industry. AMTA and ABMP, the two largest professional organizations in the massage industry, offer online classes as well as yearly conferences. The World Massage Festival annually sponsors some incredible training during their event. Additionally, there are NCBTMB Approved Providers offering exciting classes around the country and internationally! There is no limit to what you can learn in massage!

🤔 You Don’t Have to Know Everything Yet

It’s okay if you’re still figuring things out.
Massage school can be a beautiful way to:

• Build confidence

• Learn how to support others

• Travel or live somewhere new

• Discover your strengths and passions

If you’re curious, compassionate, and ready to learn—massage therapy might be the perfect first step.

📣 Want to Learn More?

I’ve worked with hundreds of students just out of high school, and I’d love to help you explore whether massage is the right fit for you.

• 👉 Book a free info call to learn about our hybrid massage program

• 👉 Explore our flexible online + hands-on massage training format