Massage chairs, handheld massage guns and a few robotic massage beds are on the market. Massage therapy still starts with a conversation about what hurts and why, and with hands that can feel what the tissue is doing and adjust.
The short answer: current evidence does not point to AI replacing massage therapists. In the ILO's 2025 index, massage therapists fall in the group "physiotherapy technicians and assistants", rated not exposed to generative AI with a score of 0.17. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 20,400 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed massage therapists are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapy Technicians and Assistants | Not exposed | 0.17 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group rather than a score for massage therapists alone.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Massage therapists | Grow 15% | About 20,400 |
The BLS links demand to massage being recognized for pain management and to growing interest in wellness and stress relief. Most states regulate the profession, usually with an approved program and an exam.
Where AI is helping
- Online booking, reminders and payments.
- Intake forms and client notes.
- Drafting marketing posts and newsletters.
- Massage devices clients use between sessions.
What stays with the massage therapist
- Assessment: talking with clients about symptoms, history and goals, and finding tense or painful areas.
- Hands-on work: adjusting pressure and technique as the session goes.
- Trust: a safe, respectful space that a client returns to.
- Checking AI help: health information from a chatbot can be confidently wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Admin and marketing are moving to software, and devices handle some self-care at home. The session itself stays with people. This page is about jobs and is not medical advice.
See also will AI replace physical therapists?, will AI replace hairdressers? and jobs safe from AI
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for massage therapists at $58,450 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: postsecondary nondegree award. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace massage therapists?
Not on current evidence. The ILO group that includes them is rated not exposed to generative AI, and the BLS projects 15 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
Can massage robots replace therapists?
Devices can give a general massage, but assessing a client and adjusting the work still needs a therapist.
How many massage therapist openings are expected?
The BLS projects about 20,400 openings a year, on average, over the decade.
Do massage therapists need a license?
Most states regulate the profession, usually requiring an approved program and an exam. Requirements vary by state.