Somatic Bodywork at Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth

Spa Tech Institute-Plymouth's somatic bodywork certificate lands right in the middle of Massachusetts programs, with graduates earning $22,247 in their first year—identical to the state median but notably above the $20,079 national average. With debt of just $8,127, the program achieves a 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable compared to many certificate programs. One practical advantage: earnings show modest but steady growth, reaching $24,396 by year four, suggesting this isn't a field where practitioners quickly plateau or exit the profession.

The program outperforms about two-thirds of somatic bodywork programs nationally, though it's worth noting that Massachusetts has only nine such programs, so the 60th percentile state ranking doesn't offer as much differentiation as it might in a more competitive market. The student body includes 32% Pell Grant recipients, and the robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these earnings figures reliable rather than speculative.

For parents evaluating this path, the key question is whether $24,000 annual earnings—roughly $12/hour full-time—aligns with their child's financial needs and career goals. The low debt burden keeps the program from being a financial trap, and the steady earnings growth suggests decent job stability. This works as a quick entry to the wellness field, but it's not a path to middle-class income without additional credentials or business development down the road.