Shiatsu Training, Schools and Careers

Learn About Shiatsu Massage Careers and Education

Based on traditional Chinese medicine, Shiatsu massage helps restore balance to the body’s natural energy flow.

Shiatsu training teaches practitioners how to use finger and palm pressure to stimulate acupuncture energetic pathways or meridians on the body.

In turn, patients experience relaxation, increased blood flow, decreased stress and improved overall wellness.

Career Overview

Shiatsu sessions typically begin with an evaluation of the patient’s condition based on an interview and observation. During Shiatsu massage therapy, the practitioner will apply finger, thumb or palm pressure in a continuous rhythmic sequence to specific areas of the patient’s body to relieve particular pain or health conditions.

Patients usually lie fully clothed on a low table or even on the floor, which allows therapists to use their own body to brace a patient during certain stretches.

Depending on the patient’s progress, the therapist might employ different techniques that are part of Shiatsu training, including tapping, squeezing, rubbing, and, of course, applied pressure.

Learn more about the various massage therapy specialties.

Training and Education

Traditional massage therapy schools and specialized Shiatsu massage schools offer Shiatsu training career programs as well as continuing education courses.

What You’ll Study in Shiatsu Massage School

In general, you can expect your Shiatsu massage therapy course work to cover these topics:

Anatomy and physiology
Chinese medicine
Meridian pathways and pressure points
Shiatsu massage techniques
Contraindications and diseases
Three main types of Shiatsu systems: Namikoshi, Anma and Zen
Shiatsu massage therapy ethics and business practices
Supervised clinical practicum

Average Length of Study

Depending on the program, career-oriented Shiatsu training involves from 300 to over 700 hours of combined classroom work and hands-on practice, which usually takes two to three years to complete.

Many Shiatsu massage schools offer evening and weekend training classes or intensives to provide greater flexibility for working students and students with families.

Average Tuition

Tuition for career Shiatsu training programs can range from $6,000 to over $12,000. Continuing education courses can cost just a few hundred dollars. Most Shiatsu massage schools offer financial aid to qualified applicants, as well as payment plans to help spread the cost over several months.

Shiatsu Massage Therapy Certification

Although no special certification requirements exist for Shiatsu massage therapists, practitioners must hold a current massage therapy license in order to practice.

Career Outlook

Massage-oriented professions like Shiatsu can anticipate a much faster than average increase (massage therapist job growth rests at 15.4%) in employment through 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The increasing popularity of alternative medicine and touch therapies as paths to overall health and wellness are among the many factors that will contribute to the strong job growth rate for massage professions in the coming decade.

Shiatsu Massage Therapy Salary

According to the BLS, Shiatsu falls under massage therapy salaries. Your salary may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. Search salaries by state here:

Massage Therapists

National data

Median Salary: $57,950

Projected job growth: 15.4%

10th Percentile: $33,280

25th Percentile: $44,870

75th Percentile: $77,170

90th Percentile: $97,450

Projected job growth: 15.4%

State data

State	Median Salary	Bottom 10%	Top 10%
Alabama	$48,960	$24,930	$89,750
Alaska	$135,200	$56,200	$167,550
Arizona	$59,550	$37,650	$90,640
Arkansas	$31,280	$23,040	$63,430
California	$48,430	$34,000	$101,390
Colorado	$59,560	$46,520	$100,770
Connecticut	$59,270	$32,640	$89,380
Delaware	$53,920	$45,090	$108,090
District of Columbia	$62,220	$54,100	$110,290
Florida	$49,880	$26,760	$74,490
Georgia	$56,740	$18,770	$83,760
Hawaii	$80,590	$35,280	$161,410
Idaho	$70,470	$35,040	$85,630
Illinois	$60,640	$30,000	$97,360
Indiana	$52,740	$35,230	$79,580
Iowa	$62,400	$41,840	$91,350
Kansas	$47,940	$30,770	$68,060
Kentucky	$54,890	$36,670	$89,700
Louisiana	$58,010	$37,800	$80,340
Maine	$67,420	$31,490	$116,210
Maryland	$58,390	$31,200	$100,260
Massachusetts	$59,470	$41,430	$104,370
Michigan	$54,510	$33,910	$85,070
Minnesota	$75,500	$39,990	$95,840
Mississippi	$42,510	$26,080	$123,060
Missouri	$66,870	$39,890	$98,540
Montana	$52,000	$26,590	$87,870
Nebraska	$55,080	$47,920	$82,460
Nevada	$52,000	$24,860	$88,760
New Hampshire	$62,830	$48,170	$96,860
New Jersey	$56,760	$41,890	$96,650
New Mexico	$47,660	$29,590	$89,120
New York	$58,730	$35,360	$104,060
North Carolina	$61,670	$30,580	$92,400
North Dakota	$70,720	$33,140	$89,390
Ohio	$50,430	$35,610	$65,820
Oklahoma	$48,140	$43,430	$97,640
Oregon	$82,860	$45,910	$103,150
Pennsylvania	$57,660	$27,820	$91,140
South Carolina	$62,830	$17,870	$98,550
South Dakota	$40,780	$35,310	$57,650
Tennessee	$49,670	$35,480	$61,150
Texas	$56,540	$29,500	$85,160
Utah	$61,010	$30,390	$103,990
Vermont	$105,490	$36,300	$124,490
Virginia	$56,850	$35,930	$120,590
Washington	$82,820	$59,160	$115,920
West Virginia	$42,730	$23,270	$71,740
Wisconsin	$57,530	$23,980	$92,220
Wyoming	$32,430	$18,020	$74,350

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

Is a Medical Massage Therapy Career Right for You?

A Shiatsu career requires advanced training in anatomy, physiology, Chinese medicine, energetic pathways and Shiatsu massage techniques. Intuition, a long-term commitment to continuing education and an understanding of basic business concepts will help you build a successful Shiatsu massage therapy practice.

If you are interested in Shiatsu training, take a closer look at Shiatsu massage schools. Then choose the Shiatsu training program that meets your personal and professional needs.

_{Sources: International School of Shiatsu, Oregon School of Massage}

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