Massage Therapy at Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City

Rapid City, SD · Private for-profit · Certificate · Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services

a compact campus enrolling 79 students in Rapid City, SD.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,821 put Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City's Massage Therapy program 35% above the national median of $20,587 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 4% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Massage Therapy career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $27,821 far exceeding the $7,917 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City ranks #12 among 224 Massage Therapy programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $27,821 to $29,930 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

Massage Therapy has a registered apprenticeship option through Certified Massage Therapist (Cmt) with a median wage of $57,950/yr — worth exploring for students who prefer structured on-the-job training.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $27,821/yr (35% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (73% shielded)
Job Market Large (52,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$302K
1.8% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$7,917
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,930
8% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Massage Therapy graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Massage therapists $57,950 +15.4% 93%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Massage therapists
$57,950
+15.4% growth 93% AI-proof

Massage Therapy Career Guide

Explore what Massage Therapy graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 224 programs nationwide.

Read the full Massage Therapy career guide →

Compare & Explore

Massage Therapy Overview

Massage Therapy at Other Schools

Other Majors at Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 44/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Massage Therapy at Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Massage Therapy. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the typical debt for Massage Therapy graduates from Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City?
At $7,917 in median debt, Massage Therapy graduates from Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City's Massage Therapy program stand out?
The #12 ranking out of 224 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Will Massage Therapy graduates from Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Massage Therapy have roughly 52,100 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →