Become a Massage Therapist

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What is a Massage Therapist?

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is used as a means of treating painful ailments, reducing stress, rehabilitating sports injuries, and promoting general health. A trained massage therapist accomplishes this by manipulating a client’s soft tissues in order to improve the body’s circulation, loosen muscles and remove waste products from the muscles.

Massage therapists work in an array of settings both private and public, such as;

• Private offices
• Studios
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Cruise Ships

Some massage therapists travel to clients’ homes or offices to provide a massage. It is not uncommon for full-time massage therapist to divide their daily work hours among several different settings, depending on their clients’ needs.

Many states regulate massage therapy and those individuals who complete formal training programs and pass the national certification exam are likely to have very good job opportunities for many years to come.

Massage Therapy Salary Range

$32,890 - Annual Massage Therapy Degree Salary

$29,300 - Average U.S. Salary

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2005)

Featured Massage Therapy Programs

WyoTech

WyoTech offers specialized training in automotive, diesel, collision/refinishing, street rod, service management, custom trim & upholstery, and advanced diesel applications.

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Academy of Massage Therapy

Welcome to New Jersey and New York’s premiere Massage Therapy School. Since 1990, the Academy of Massage Therapy has been training students from New Jersey and New York for careers as Certified Massage Therapists and Licensed Massage Therapists.

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Massage Therapy Job Outlook

Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the period from 2006 to 2014 as more people experience the benefits of massage therapy.

About two-thirds were self-employed. Of those self-employed, most owned their own business, and the rest worked as independent contractors. Others found employment in salons and spas; the offices of physicians and chiropractors; fitness and recreational sports centers; and hotels.

About three-quarters of all massage therapists worked part-time or had variable schedules, although as mentioned earlier many massage therapists who work 15 to 30 hours per week consider themselves to be full-time workers.

Average Salary

Median salary earnings of massage therapists, including gratuities earned were $32,890 in 2005. Full-time massage therapists who own their own businesses can earn $55,700.

Generally, massage therapists earn 15 to 20 percent of their income as gratuities. For those who work in a hospital or other clinical setting, however, tipping is not common.