People consider RMT because it's regulated, in demand, and flexible. Do those claims hold up? Let's look at public government data instead of slogans.
Demand: how the government rates it
According to Canada's Government Job Bank, the 2025–2027 employment outlook for massage therapists (NOC 32201) in Ontario is rated "Good". The main reasons given: employment growth will create new positions, while relatively few experienced workers are unemployed.
Why is demand rising? Job Bank points to several factors:
- population growth and aging, increasing demand for massage services;
- growing use of complementary therapies to manage chronic illness and acute pain;
- consumers willing and able to pay for some or all of their massage treatment.
How income works (mechanics only)
RMT income differs from a fixed salary and depends largely on how you practise. Understanding this is more useful than a blunt "average":
- Per Job Bank, about 86% in this occupation are self-employed (vs. ~15% across all jobs).
- Common arrangements: practising independently, or splitting fees with a clinic (the clinic provides space and clients; both share the fee).
- So actual income depends mostly on your way of practising, hours and client volume — not a fixed wage.
Put simply, RMT is more like a professional skill you can run as your own practice — outcomes vary widely with how you work. For specifics by school or region, ask a school advisor directly.
A few features of the profession
Setting income aside, RMT has some concrete features as a profession:
- A regulated profession: overseen by CMTO, with a clear professional identity — not gig work.
- Receipts covered by insurance: many Ontario extended health plans reimburse RMT receipts, a reason clients keep paying.
- Flexible ways to practise: self-employed or clinic-based, with relatively flexible hours (often including evenings and weekends to suit clients).
- A skill that lasts: hands-on and assessment skills grow with experience and aren't easily outdated.
A few things to know upfront
So you can judge clearly, a few points to state plainly:
- Becoming an RMT takes about 2–3 years of training and exams — not a quick course (see the training page).
- It's hands-on, physically demanding work.
- Self-employment means income isn't fixed, and you handle finding clients, bookkeeping and other business tasks yourself.
- Outlook ratings update over time; refer to Job Bank and CMTO for the latest.