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Massage Therapist Salary Information
Learn About Massage Therapy Salaries and Today's Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy Schools | Massage Therapy Schools and Careers Guide
| | Massage therapists not only have flexible hours and rewarding careers helping clients feel better, they can also make a good living. Learn more about the massage therapist salary by reading the questions and answers below. You can get insight into how much money you can make as a massage therapist, the tools you will need to start a massage business and how long it typically takes to build a successful massage business. Discover more about massage therapy salaries and learn whether massage therapy is right for you! |
- What is the typical massage therapist salary?
- What tools will I need to start my own massage business?
- How long does it take to build a thriving massage therapy career?
What is the typical massage therapist salary?
Massage therapy salaries can be varied depending a person’s massage industry experience, practice location or business proprietorship. There are massage practitioners who have made around $180,000 per year for several years doing massage. (See: Thriving Massage Practice) There are also many practitioners who scrape by month after month. In-between there is a broad range of folks, including part-timers, full-timers and entrepreneurs with multiple employees.
Massage therapists earn a comparable annual income to other health care support workers. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, today's massage therapist:
- Charges an average of $60 for one hour of massage, with a reasonable billing range between $25 and $100 per hour for massage therapy services
- Earns an average wage of $42 an hour (including tips) for all massage related work
- Earns an average annual income of $29,250 (including tips) providing 15 hours of massage per week
- Earns between $37,502 and $59,788 with the top 10 percent earning $66,323 or higher for full-time massage work
Donda Sternberg, professional massage therapist, gives the following massage therapist salary advice to prospective massage students, "If you want to become a massage therapist because you're thinking about the dollar value, things may not unfold for you. If you are doing it from your heart, you will have a phenomenal career. You have to have it in you to help people."
What tools will I need to start my own massage business, and how do these affect my massage therapist salary?
Being prepared with the right tools is an important part of starting a massage business. Depending on the massage practice you choose, there are some tangible items you may need to purchase or lease that can influence your massage therapist salary.
Some of these massage therapist career items may include:
- A massage table or chair
- Multiple sets of sheets
- Aromatherapy lotion or oils
Other massage therapist business costs that can affect your massage therapist salary may include the following:
- Advertising/marketing
- Association dues and fees
- Health insurance
- Laundry
- Liability insurance
- Space rental
Of course, your desire to help others is an inspirational tool that is helpful when joining the massage therapy industry—this dedication will help you enjoy a rewarding career when working with clients. Your level of success in massage depends on your skills, your ambition, your personality, where you live, the kind of bodywork you practice, your ability to network and your ability to market yourself.
How long does it take to build a thriving massage therapy career?
Enjoying the fruits of a thriving massage therapy career can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. Most successful massage therapists reach a good practice level within two years, though some take longer. Things you can do to have a thriving practice:
- Strive for quality work with each client
- Get involved in the community you practice in – become genuinely involved
- Understand your ambition and goals
- Maintain positive energy levels
- Develop effective marketing and networking efforts
- Value your local reputation – word of mouth can increase your clientele
- Have a warm and friendly personality
Related Reading
- Comprehensive List of Massage Schools
- Career Tips from Seasoned Massage Therapists
- Massage Therapist Job Description
- A Massage Therapy Career & Training
- Eight Tips to Keep and Cultivate Massage Clients
Looking for a Massage Therapy School?
Try our Massage Therapy Schools & Training page, which offers program descriptions and request information forms to find out more.
Sources:Salary.com, 2009
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009
AMTA, 2009
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