Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Massage Therapists
Massage Therapists perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
Table of contents
What they do
Massage Therapists perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Maintain treatment records.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Massage Therapists massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance. They apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
A typical day for a Massage Therapist will also include:
- Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
- Maintain treatment records.
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Assess clients’ soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
- Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Massage Therapists also refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary. They may also use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients’ recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Massage Therapists perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage. They might also consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
In addition, they prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients’ skin.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
To some Massage Therapists, it is also their responsibility to treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients’ offices and homes.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
70% said they were satisfied with their job and 83% said they found their job meaningful.
I’m a licensed massage therapist.
My massage work is usually from 9-2pm or 2-6pm. I see 3-4 clients per day, and I work 5 days a week at most. (I used to work more, but I would not recommend that!) There are usually 3-4 loads of laundry per week, client confirmation messages daily, and I make sure to work in content creation almost every day. I’m able to fit in workouts, hydration, and calls or coffee dates with friends throughout my week without a problem!
My typical day
I wake up around 7am and typically have breakfast with coffee or tea, workout for 30 minutes (I have a membership with an online workout program lead by a physical therapist friend of mine), and shower.
I’m usually leaving the house around 8:30 or 9am. I really love getting to my studio early. I can set the tone for the day by making sure my office is clean and ready to go for my first client.
If the table isn’t already set, I’ll do that and turn the table warmer and essential oil diffuser on if the client likes those. There’s usually light dusting, vacuuming, and a few sets of sheets to be folded and put away.
My email is notorious for holding a few emails from clients first thing in the morning, so I take about a half hour to respond.
By that point, my first client has usually arrived.
If it’s a new client, we take about 15 minutes to discuss their health history and goals. If this client is an existing client, we take a few minutes to catch up from their last visit and I ask what their goal is for that session.
I give them a few minutes to undress and get on the table.
My sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes. They look like this: many of my clients chat with me during the session (a select few make this naptime), I usually target 2-3 areas of the body for more focused work and give minimal but direct cues if I need the client to do something during the session.
I step out of the room, wash my hands (and any massage tools like massage cups I might have used during the session), and greet the client with a “good morning!” as they’re coming back to life after the massage.
We cover payment if they owe for that session, and go over any suggestions I have for them.
My client leaves and I repeat this for another 2-3 more clients usually snacking between clients and drinking as much water as I can. Of course, this means I have to pee constantly! I’ve been able to work with my body to have “potty breaks” between each session as well. I also throw in some breath work and movement between clients.
My day is usually wrapping up by 6pm at the latest. I always have an ambitious goal of exiting the building 15 minutes after I’m done with my last session. That occasionally happens, but not always. It usually takes about 20-30 minutes to wrap up from the day. This includes: checking out (having the client pay and covering any suggestions) the last client, stripping the massage table sheets, and cleaning up the room (organizing the space and wiping down all surfaces). I also complete my SOAP notes (session notes) for the day, email or text any confirmations to clients for the next day, and head home.
I have dinner, relax with a good book or TV show with my boyfriend, and am in bed between 9 and 10pm.
Pros
- I’m my own boss. My massage practice is my own. For me that is huge! That means I can craft the exact experience I hope to give each and every client. I am able to control the messaging, specialize in what I enjoy and am good at, and attract the right clients for my practice. I’m also able to live a really good life because I’m making more money by structuring my work life as a sole proprietor versus an employee or independent contractor.
- I love the freedom, income potential, and impact I’m able to have on my clients as a practice owner much more than the advantages of having an employer.
- You also get to move around all day versus sitting, work is never boring, I’ve met some incredible and interesting humans over the years.
Cons
- Hard on the body, trading time for money, there’s a level of safety you have to worry about, it costs to take continuing education (which most states require), there’s so much laundry, it can be an emotionally draining job (if you have issues keeping boundaries, this won’t be a good fit for you).
- There are things I have to pay for or pay extra including health insurance, taxes, and continuing education (which might be paid for by an employer).
- I’m also responsible for firing clients if it comes to that.
- I pay for studio rent and all the tools I’ll need for work (massage sheets, oil, massage cups, studio decor, etc.).
Pros
Suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Salary is below average.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Massage Therapists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $22,580 to $30,010 per year or $11 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $79,150 | $38 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $59,790 | $29 |
| Median | $43,620 | $21 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $30,010 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $22,580 | $11 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Massage Therapists based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Individual and Family Services | $63220 | $30.39 |
| Specialty Hospitals | $62630 | $30.11 |
| Local Government | $58450 | $28.10 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $56670 | $27.25 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $56200 | $27.02 |
| Home Health Care Services | $55600 | $26.73 |
| Offices of Physicians | $55440 | $26.66 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $53950 | $25.94 |
| Civic and Social Organizations | $53420 | $25.68 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $53320 | $25.63 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Massage Therapists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Massage Therapists including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Care Services | 41370 | $43830 | $21.07 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 29200 | $52360 | $25.17 |
| Traveler Accommodation | 6590 | $44230 | $21.26 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | 2690 | $45290 | $21.77 |
| Offices of Physicians | 1250 | $55440 | $26.66 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 900 | $53950 | $25.94 |
| Home Health Care Services | 540 | $55600 | $26.73 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 320 | $ | $* |
| Employment Services | 300 | $40020 | $19.24 |
| Technical and Trade Schools | 210 | $42180 | $20.28 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
Asian Bodywork Therapy
Somatic Bodywork
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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