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A Massage Therapy Career + Training
Massage Therapist Career Path
- How long does it take to learn to be a massage therapist?
- How long does it take to develop a thriving massage therapy career?
- Where can I find spa and salon jobs as a massage therapist?
- Can I have a part-time massage therapy career?
Massage Training
- Are there jobs available to massage therapist school graduates?
- Who hires massage therapist school graduates?
- Where can I find spa and salon jobs and careers?
- How much money can I make doing massage?
- How important is physical strength for becoming a massage therapist?
- How do massage therapists avoid carpal tunnel syndrome?
How long does it take to learn to be a massage therapist?
The time required to become a massage therapist can vary quite a bit. First, ask yourself whether you want the minimum training to get started or enough education to master the discipline. Second, consider the educational requirements, if any, of the states and/or cities where you intend to practice. Thirty-seven states in the US have licensing laws, and many localities also have licensing laws that apply within the city. Read more about states regulating massage.
If you live in a state that regulates massage licensing laws, the state requirements set your minimum education. Legal minimums can range from 330 to 1,000 contact hours, and programs can take from a few weeks to two years, depending on how the program is structured. For complete information on schools in your area, read detailed fact sheets on available massage programs and contact schools for additional information.
If your location has no governmental regulation, you can start your practice with whatever training you choose to get - even none! However, proper training enables you to go further, so consider your long-term goals when you decide on the education you need.
How long does it take to develop a thriving massage therapy career?
Developing a rewarding 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. Your practice will thrive if you focus on these important elements:
- 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
Where can I find spa and salon jobs as a massage therapist?
Visit BestSpaJobs.com for all your staffing and job search needs. Need to find a new employee or find a job? BestSpaJobs.com is a new service designed to help managers at spas and spa vendors and potential employees to find each other. Post your ad on the most popular spa industry job board on the web and reach more than 10,000 spa industry job seekers a month.
Can I have a part-time massage therapy career?
Yes. Practicing massage can be an excellent part-time career; the pay is good, the work is enjoyable, the hours are extremely flexible, and your conscience is clear. One challenge with a full-time massage therapist practice is that clients tend to want massage services evenings and weekends, when they are off work. If you can pursue a part-time practice during these times of the week, you have a near-perfect option for part-time work.
Are there jobs available to massage therapist school graduates?
Yes. There are many jobs available to recent massage school graduates in many diverse industries. Massage therapy is a profession on the rise. With substantial massage therapy career choices and opportunities to work in public or private practice, aspiring massage therapists face a bright future. Employment opportunities for massage therapists are expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate. Through 2012, massage therapists are likely to see a 20% to 35% increase in job opportunities.* Read more about today’s massage therapists.
Who hires hire massage therapist school graduates?
Massage therapists are hired to work in a number of private and public settings:
- Airports
- Fitness Centers
- Hospitals
- Nursing Homes
- Private Offices
- Shopping Malls
- Sports Medicine Facilities
- Studios
Some massage therapists also travel to clients’ homes or offices to provide a massage. It is not uncommon for full-time massage therapists to divide their time among several different settings, depending on the clients and locations scheduled.
Where can I find spa and salon jobs and careers?
Find top spa and salon jobs at BestSpajobs.com, a new site with listings for massage therapists, estheticians, spa directors and more.
How much money can I make doing massage?
Massage salaries can be varied depending a person’s industry experience, practice location or business proprietorship. There are 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 competitive annual income when compared to other health care support workers. Today’s massage therapist:
- Charges an average of $58 for one hour of massage
- Earns an average wage of $39 an hour (including tips) for all massage-related work
- Earns an average annual income of $29,250 (including tips) by providing 15 hours of massage per week
Statistics based on the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Donda Sternberg, professional massage therapist, says 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."
How important is physical strength when becoming a massage therapist?
In general, physical strength is not a very important trait for a massage therapist. Massage therapy schools teach you how to use your body weight to apply pressure instead of relying on muscular strength. This is important for all massage therapists to do, since even a physically strong person can be injured by overusing muscular strength when doing the work. While there are some circumstances in which physical strength is important, such as working on muscular men or doing certain forms of deep work, you should not shy away from a career in massage because you lack physical strength - you can succeed without it.
How do massage therapists avoid carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel and other physical ailments are common among massage practitioners, but they can be avoided with proper prevention. Books are written on just this subject. Many massage therapy schools teach body mechanics, in which you learn the proper ways to stand, lean and use your hands when doing the work. If you are prepared, educated and careful, you can avoid physical injury when practicing massage.
Meg Mathis, a licensed massage therapist in Seattle, WA, points out that massage therapists do tend to get injured easily and offers some guidance. "You should use your whole body force to massage, not just your arms and wrists." She recommends that therapists use school as a time to test their body mechanics and determine whether they can adapt to the physical requirements of the job. Read more massage career tips from Meg Mathis.
Related Reading
- Comprehensive List of Massage Schools
- The History of Massage Therapy
- Interview with a Licensed Massage Therapist
- Interview with a Massage Therapy Student
Source
Answers provided by our online advisor for massage, Martin Ashley, J.D., L.M.T., the author of Massage: A Career At Your Fingertips.
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