Massage Therapist Income

The word 'massage', is not an English word. It is derived from the French word, which means 'to knead'. In Latin, massage is known as 'massa', which means 'to feel'. The Greek word for massage is anatripsis, which means 'to rub'. Massage therapy has been around for centuries. Even today, it is in great demand. However, the techniques of giving a massage have changed. Today, there are various scientific methods of massage therapy, which provide better results. Why is massage so popular? Well, there are many massage therapy benefits like relief from stress and ailments like back pain, neck pain, etc. Many people choose massage over medicines because it does not have any side effects.

There are different types of massage therapies available, like Swedish massage therapy, Hot stone massage therapy, Aromatherapy, Deep tissue therapy, etc. You can specialize in any type of massage therapy.

How to become a Massage Therapist

If you like to serve people, and de-stress them, then massage therapy is one of the best career options for you. Becoming a masseur is easy. There are massage schools where you can get a formal education. After you finish your education, you need to give the NCE exam for massage therapists. You can also take practice massage exams online. After obtaining a degree, you will be a professional masseuse! Almost 80% of the states in America demand a license to practice massage therapy. So it is advisable to acquire a license. After you have a degree and a license in your hand, you can search for jobs in salons or spas. There are many massage therapist jobs available. There are also special centers just for massage. You can even start your own massage therapy business. But it is advisable to first get a little experience, and then jump into a business of your own.

How much does a Massage Therapist make

The answer to how much does a massage therapist make depends upon the experience, working hours, and efficiency of the massage therapist. It also depends on the location of the spa or resort.

Income of an Employee

The working hours for a massage therapist are anywhere between 15 hours to 30 hours a week. If you are working in a city area, and have an experience of about 1-4 years, you can earn $20,000-$35,000. If you have an experience of 5+ years, your salary can be around $25,000-$55,000. According to the latest survey, an average massage therapist salary can be between $37,000-$57,000 per year. But if you are working in a state like Hawaii or Los Angeles, you can get around $55,000-$65,000! If you perform extraordinarily, you may get more than $65,000. A masseur also gets tips. This will add to your income.

Income of a Self-Employed Masseur

The average income for massage therapist who is self-employed, differs from that of the employed. If you own a spa , you can charge around $30-$45. If your spa is located in a prime area, you can charge $50-$65. But being self-employed can be tough, as it is you who has to incur the cost of massage tools, and the employees, have to be paid from this income. If you perform exceedingly well, you can also earn around $85 for a one hour massage therapy session. But it requires years of practice. If you employ people who are specialists in a particular treatment like Swedish massage or Hot stone massage, or if you use some special massage equipment like massage chairs, your income will be more.

There are ample opportunities in the field of massage therapy, as it is an emerging field, and the number of people experiencing stress, and in need of a massage is steadily increasing. So the future of massage therapy as a career is bright.