Massage Therapist Salary

Being a massage therapist is a lucrative and satisfying career. I say lucrative as the average salary through just part-time work, touches $30,000 a year! It is satisfying as you get an opportunity to help a lot of people get relief from pain and fatigue. Many people start out with a massage therapy career as supplementary to other day jobs. Statistics show that the number of therapists has only been increasing in recent years and it is turning out to be a much sought after career option. If you are a fan of the popular sitcom 'Friends', then you will remember Phoebe Buffet works as a massage therapist.

Massage therapy is a very old profession and therapists have been around since ancient times. In modern times, massage therapy is more broadly known as physiotherapy. It includes a variety of massage practices, along with other advanced techniques. Therapists are especially in demand in hospitals, where their healing hands are most needed. To be a therapist, one needs to have an inherent desire to serve other people and be comfortable with the body contact that is involved in this profession.

Job Description & Education
To be a massage therapist, you need a degree from a recognized massage therapy training institute. The minimum level of qualification required, is a high school diploma. The training program which lasts from 6 to 12 months involves training in massage techniques and courses in public health, anatomy, physiology, hygiene and professional ethics. In most states in the USA, one needs to pass a written exam to qualify as a massage therapist.

The salary is quite well rewarding but it requires you to sacrifice your weekends and evening on week days, as that is the time you will be most busy. However, the working hours are flexible. The job description involves giving a professional massage to clients by applying various massage oils and loosening the tightened muscles, through kneading and rubbing the body. An expert therapist must be able to identify the regions of pain and apply his knowledge and technique to provide relief.

With experience and few years down the line in this profession, you can think of setting up your own massage therapy business.

Average Salary
A massage therapist's salary includes fees and tips earned through working on an hourly basis. Therapists are hired by hospitals, resorts and corporate companies for their services. They can also work for a massage center or start their own business. The salary is dependent on many factors like:

• Location of Work
• Kind of Service Offered
• Level of Experience
• Number of Working Hours

According to a survey conducted in 2008, on an average, a therapist earns roughly $31,500, working for 64 hours a month, in a year. Most of them earn an average of $35 an hour which includes tips. As of 2008, their salaries ranged between $37,502 a year to $56,788 a year, according to human resource surveys. The most experienced and highly qualified ones earn up to $66,323 or even higher than that. According to many salary survey sites, the average salary, in 2009, has touched $58,000.

So, as one can see the demand for massage therapy is on the rise and along with that, naturally the massage therapist salary is also on the rise. The satisfaction of relieving people from pain is incomparable. So, if you are thinking about it, as a serious career, I suggest you go for it!