Somatic Bodywork: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Somatic Bodywork is a specialized field dedicated to enhancing physical and emotional well-being through the intentional use of skilled touch, movement, and body-awareness techniques. This program equips students with the foundational knowledge and hands-on expertise needed to support holistic health across diverse client needs.
- Therapeutic Massage Techniques: In-depth study of various massage modalities, including Swedish, deep tissue, and neuromuscular therapy, designed to relieve tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation.
- Anatomy and Physiology: Comprehensive exploration of human structure and function, emphasizing musculoskeletal, nervous, and circulatory systems relevant to bodywork practice.
- Structural and Functional Integration: Training in methods that address postural imbalances and fascial restrictions to restore optimal alignment and movement efficiency across the body.
- Specialized Holistic Modalities: Exposure to advanced body-centered practices such as Rolfing/Structural Integration, Hellerwork, Breema, the Rosen Method, and lymphatic drainage, each offering unique approaches to tissue release and energetic balance.
- Complementary Therapeutic Systems: Instruction in supportive disciplines including colon hydrotherapy, hydrotherapy, and other integrative wellness practices that enhance overall physiological function.
- Client-Centered Counseling: Development of communication and assessment skills to understand individual needs, set therapeutic goals, and foster a safe, empathetic client experience.
- Professional Practice Management: Training in business operations, ethics, client recordkeeping, and legal compliance to support sustainable and responsible practice in the field.
- Regulatory and Ethical Standards: Familiarization with industry regulations, licensing requirements, and professional conduct codes essential for safe, effective, and legally sound practice.
Somatic Bodywork Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Somatic Bodywork Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Somatic Bodywork degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Massage Therapists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 325,760 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Massage Therapists 31-9011 | $57,950 | $33,280 - $97,450 | 96,040 | $27.86 |
Somatic Bodywork Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $52,565 in Wyoming to $112,025 in District of Columbia—a 113% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 325,760 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Somatic Bodywork by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 3 institutions offering Somatic Bodywork programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Somatic Bodywork is found at Dr. Ida Rolf Institute (DIRI) (21 graduates), Pima Community College (PCC) (6 graduates), and Washington University in St Louis (WashU) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 28 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Ida Rolf Institute (DIRI) |
Other Award
|
21 | Boulder, Colorado | Private | rolf.org |
Pima Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Somatic Bodywork programs
How much can I earn with a Somatic Bodywork degree?
Salaries for Somatic Bodywork graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Massage Therapists earn around $57,950. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $112,025 compared to $52,565 in Wyoming. Approximately 325,760 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Somatic Bodywork programs?
Currently 3 accredited institutions offer Somatic Bodywork degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Dr. Ida Rolf Institute (DIRI) (21 graduates), Pima Community College (PCC) (6 graduates), and Washington University in St Louis (WashU) (1 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Somatic Bodywork growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 14 in 2010 to a peak of 49 in 2020, before declining slightly to 28 in 2023-24. This represents a 100% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Somatic Bodywork degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Massage Therapists, . Related occupations employ approximately 325,760 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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