Somatic Bodywork at Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City

Paul Mitchell's somatic bodywork program starts strong but hits an unexpected downturn—graduates earn $27,821 initially but see income drop to $20,704 by year four. That 26% decline is unusual for a field where massage therapists typically build clientele over time. With only a handful of graduates tracked, these numbers might reflect a few individuals changing careers or relocating rather than a systematic program issue, but the pattern warrants attention.

The debt picture is reasonable at under $8,000, giving graduates a manageable 0.28 debt-to-earnings ratio even at the lower four-year mark. Compared to the national field, this program punches above its weight—95th percentile for initial earnings versus other somatic bodywork certificates nationwide. However, within South Dakota's small market of just four programs, it's more middle-of-the-pack at the 60th percentile. That state context matters because Rapid City's labor market for bodywork may simply be tighter than coastal metros where similar programs operate.

For an anxious parent, here's what matters: the low debt means your child isn't gambling much financially, but the earnings trajectory suggests massage therapy in Rapid City may not support a stable long-term career. If your child is passionate about bodywork, the modest investment makes sense—just have honest conversations about geographic flexibility and the need for strong business skills to maintain income over time.