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Discover How Much You Can Make as a Massage Therapist – An Exciting Look at Massage Therapy Salaries!

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(This is an AI generated article which pulls information from the internet and does not verify facts. Some of it is inaccurate.)

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Are you considering becoming a massage therapist? Are you wondering how much you can make as a massage therapist? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog, we’ll take a look at massage therapist salaries, job descriptions, and other factors that can affect how much you can make as a massage therapist. Read on to learn more and discover whether massage therapy could be the right career choice for you!

Introduction – What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is a type of bodywork that involves the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues with the hands, fingers, elbows, and sometimes even feet. It can be utilized to treat a variety of conditions, such as sports injuries, chronic pain, and stress-related conditions. Massage therapists use a variety of techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and trigger point therapy, to help their clients reach their desired health and wellness goals.

(Massage therapy is a type of manual therapy. Bodywork is another type. The types of massage are not clearly defined by the massage profession.)

The practice of massage therapy can be traced back thousands of years, but it has only become a popular profession in the past few decades. Now, massage therapists are an integral part of the health and wellness industry, and they can be found in many different settings, such as spas, salons, and medical clinics.

(Massage therapy in the US has been popular since the late 1800s and early 1900’s where it was used in medical settings)

Job Description and Responsibilities of a Massage Therapist

The job description of a massage therapist varies depending on their work setting, but typically includes assessing clients’ needs, providing massage treatments, and educating clients on how to maintain their wellness. Massage therapists typically work with their clients to create individualized treatment plans that address their specific needs.

Massage therapists must also keep up to date with the latest developments in massage therapy and be able to communicate effectively with their clients. Other responsibilities may include maintaining client records, scheduling appointments, and keeping the massage clinic or spa clean and organized.

How Much Do Massage Therapists Make?

It’s no secret that massage therapy can be a lucrative profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for massage therapists in the United States is $41,420 per year, or $19.90 per hour. Of course, these numbers can vary significantly depending on various factors, such as experience, location, and type of employer.

The BLS also estimates that the top 10% of massage therapists earn an average of $76,990 per year, or $36.99 per hour. In addition, many massage therapists also receive tips from their clients, which can further increase their earnings.

(The BLS statistics are all over the internet and on most massage school websites but they are very inaccurate. These are JOB statistics that are based on a 40 hour work week and most massage therapists do not work that many hours. The hands-on time of sessions are separated by time to change the table, clean the room, do chart notes etc. The hourly rate is only paid when you have hands-on time as in a piece work factory job.)

Factors that Affect Massage Therapist Salaries

There are several factors that can affect how much you can make as a massage therapist. For example, your experience and education level can play a big role in your salary. Generally speaking, the more experience and education you have, the more you can earn as a massage therapist.

In addition, the type of massage therapy you specialize in can have a major impact on your earnings. Deep tissue massage, for example, typically pays more than Swedish massage.

Your employer can also affect your salary. Massage therapists who work for spas and salons typically make less than those who work at medical clinics or hospitals. In addition, working for yourself can be more lucrative than working for someone else, as you can set your own rates.

Geographical Considerations for Massage Therapist Salaries

The geographical area you work in can also have a major impact on your salary. For example, massage therapists in large metropolitan areas typically earn more than those in rural areas. This is because there is typically more demand for massage therapy services in larger cities.

In addition, the cost of living in different areas can also impact your salary. In areas with a high cost of living, massage therapists typically earn more than those in areas with a low cost of living.

Massage Therapist Salary Statistics

According to the BLS, the highest-paying states for massage therapists are Nevada, California, New York, Alaska, and New Jersey. The highest-paying metropolitan areas for massage therapists are New York City, Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz-Watsonville.

In addition, the BLS reports that the industries with the highest levels of employment for massage therapists are health and personal care stores, health care and social assistance, personal care services, and exercise and recreational facilities.

(There are those pesky BLS reports again…see above comment)

Job Outlook for Massage Therapists

The job outlook for massage therapists is very positive. The BLS estimates that the employment of massage therapists is expected to grow by 22% over the next 10 years, which is much faster than the average rate of job growth. This growth is largely due to the increasing demand for massage therapy services and the growing awareness of the benefits of massage therapy.

Tips for Maximizing Your Massage Therapy Salary

If you’re looking to maximize your earnings as a massage therapist, there are several things you can do. First, make sure to get the most out of your education and experience. Take continuing education courses to stay up to date with the latest developments in massage therapy, and look for opportunities to further your skills and knowledge.

In addition, make sure to network with other massage therapists and health care professionals in your area. This can help you gain referrals and build a client base, which can lead to more job opportunities and higher pay.

Finally, be sure to set competitive rates for your services. Research the rates of other massage therapists in your area, and make sure to charge enough to make a living.

Other Income Opportunities for Massage Therapists

In addition to providing massage therapy services, there are other ways you can make money as a massage therapist. For example, you can offer workshops and classes, or write and sell eBooks on massage therapy topics. You can also offer online services, such as virtual consultations and video tutorials.

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s a lot of potential to make a good living as a massage therapist. With the right education, experience, and marketing skills, you can maximize your earnings and make a successful career out of massage therapy. So why not give it a try? Become a massage therapist and discover the potential for a rewarding and lucrative career!

The Number of Massage Schools in the US

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I have been tracking the number of massage schools over the many years and the findings are very interesting.

From the website www.massageschoolnotes.com — the number of massage schools in the USA is listed as 190 in May 1991, as 316 in January 1995, as 572 in December 1998, and as 875 in June 2002.

 Number of Massage Schools by Year

1985 – 50

May 1991 – 190

Jan 1995 – 316

Dec 1998 – 572

June 2002 – 875

Nov 2004 – 1346

2006 – 1582

2009 – 1600

2011- 1400

ABMP reports are somewhat different with always saying that the number of massage schools is higher that what was reported above.

https://www.abmp.com/updates/blog-posts/massage-schools-stay-resilient-during-covid-19-pandemic

1985 – 50

May 1991 – 190

Jan 1995 – 316

Dec 1998 – 572

This ABMP metrics report says:

New Training Entities Get Into the Act

  • The number of state-approved schools has increased 122.8 percent between 1998 and 2006.
  • Larger schools dominate the field — one-fourth of schools account for more than 70 percent of graduates. Half the schools account for 90.5 percent of all graduates.

ABMP used to report on things like this and keep track of them in their media section on www.massagetherapy.com (link to archive.org) .

The State of Massage Schools

Today, (Jan 16, 2023) I have added 495 massage schools to the website here. I have looked through every website and I have to say that the cause of the decrease in the number of massage therapists is because the massage school websites are so dreadful and do not promote the profession. I found about 100 that were closed. I found so many really bad sites that I did not include them.

How to choose the best massage gun

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Massage guns have been become more popular and there are now so many to choose from, it is difficult to know which are the best models.

For a massage therapist, the top contenders are the Achedaway Pro, The Theragun Pro, and the Hypervolt

                

These three are really the top massage guns with lots of battery life and superior compression and vibration that are really what is needed for a professional massage therapist. They will last you for many years compared to the cheaper brands that are also loud, clanky and lack the power that these three have especially in the compression features.

Sexual Assault in the Massage therapy profession

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As a massage therapist you will unfortunately be at risk for having to deal with perverts who request happy endings or use their power to make you do things you do not want to as in the case of Deshaun Watson, NFL football player gone over to the dark side.

In massage school, you will be taught skills on how to deal with this issue when it arises, but as this letter to Deshaun Watson from one of his victims shows, it is not always easy and straight forward to take action against such advances.

On the other hand, we have some bad apples in the massage profession who also are sexually assaulting clients. Massage licensing laws were created to help stop this by requiring things like background checks and fingerprinting to get a massage license, yet still many bad apples get through the system. Some are also inaccurately charged with sexual assault.

So what is the massage profession to do?

Something!! Anything!!! But the best thing as recommeded by ABMP below is to make laws that stop the use of the word massage by these businesses. Let the police and prosecutors figure out what to do with those involved in human trafficking.

On my other site, I have previosly blogged about the whole issue of Massage, Illicit Massage Businesses, Brothels disguised as massage businesses and Human Trafficking. The issue is very complex, but the main issue is that these illicit places use the word massage as a cover for whatever they are doing. The massage therapy profession across the US needs to focus on that and that only, by creating legislation that makes it so using that word is punishable with a high monetary fee and/or jail time—whatever will deter them from using the word massage.

What is ABMP’s stance on human trafficking legislation? While ABMP acknowledges that human trafficking intersects on the fringes of massage therapy, we believe licensed massage therapists alone should not shoulder the financial burden of countering these illicit businesses. Massage therapists and massage therapy regulators should not be responsible for solving the issue of human trafficking or illegal sex businesses.
Massage therapists and massage boards should work with local law enforcement, educating them about what massage therapy is and what it is not. We believe the best way to stop the illicit businesses is to revise criminal codes with jailable misdemeanors and substantial fines for owners and managers who hire nonlicensed individuals to perform “massage.”
What does ABMP think are some effective ways to counteract the issues of illicit businesses operating under the guise of massage therapy? ABMP believes in going after the owners and managers of these establishments with substantial fines—over $5,000 per infraction—if they have people who are not licensed massage therapists providing massage in the location.

In the human trafficking context, these workers are victims. They should not be charged with prostitution, unless it can be proven that they are engaged in the activity willingly. District attorneys must be willing to prosecute these cases, and police must build the cases.

https://www.abmp.com/textonlymags/article.php?article=2363

Need a Second Career or something to do in retirement?

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A Career in massage therapy might be a good option for you. Many come to the massage profession later in life. The average age of massage therapists is around 45 years old. Since about 2005, AMTA has reported on the average age of massage therapists being in the mid-forties. More recently, younger people have been coming into the profession. AMTA 2022 industry report says that “Fifty-two percent of massage students were 30 or under in 2021.” At any age a career in massage can help change your life and the lives of others.

High School Graduates

In most states, the minimum age requirement to be able to go to massage school is 18 years of age. Choosing a two year associates program or even one of the few 4 year Bachelors programs might be more helpful when starting out at this age. When you go to massage school at that age, most graduates will then get a job in a massage franchises. You will start working at lower than usual wages, but will get the experience you need to succeed in a career in massage. You will need to get experience in dealing with clients and their health issues.

Second Careers

Many come to the massage profession looking for a more rewarding career after working in other fields like nursing, real estate, tech and other fields where everyone needed everything yesterday and the stress levels were very high. As most massage therapists also start their own business, this allows people coming from other careers with business and marketing skills to be able to start and run their own businesses. You will have more freedom to set your own hours and business policies. You will also be able to get higher paying jobs in high end spas, medical clinics and other places too.

Retiring and need/want to work

It is never too late to go to massage school. Schools are able to teach just about anyone how to become a massage therapist. Being a massage therapist in your retirement years can help supplement your income and provide you with meaning in your life. Helping others who are in pain and under stress is mostly rewarding and meaningful work.

At any age, a career in massage may be for you! Find a massage school!