Massage Envy Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits.

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona said: Who needs spell check! we have you! Thanks Fed up!:)

Thanks LMT/CMT! It's great to have a partner to fight for TRUTH, JUSTICE and THE AMERICAN WAY!!!!!!

Superman would have been proud of us! You rock man!!!

fed up in Wilmette, Illinois said: Thanks LMT/CMT! It's great to have a partner to fight for TRUTH, JUSTICE and THE AMERICAN WAY!!!!!!

Superman would have been proud of us! You rock man!!!

Careful!!!! I have many enemies out there. you may not want to associate with me. Its funny, there are many ME people and clients on this forum that think that I am just a nast, unhappy person, but if you ask my clients their views, they agree with what most of us are saying. Dont think its therapists VS clients. Many clients support our quest.

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona said: Careful!!!! I have many enemies out there. you may not want to associate with me. Its funny, there are many ME people and clients on this forum that think that I am just a nast, unhappy person, but if you ask my clients their views, they agree with what most of us are saying. Dont think its therapists VS clients. Many clients support our quest.

CMT/LMT,
Same here, I'm known as the nicest, warmest guy. I'm not bitter, but I can't listen to BS, I call a spade a spade. I'm not good at sugar coating things. I am like you, we are passionate about our work and we see these opportunists making a mess and worse than that, pretending that they aren't the greedy ignoramuses that they are.

The old saying proves true here, You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

Time will tell us all what I believe is inevitable, the whole stinking house of cards is going to fall!

Sheesh. I wonder if you realize how unprofessional the "trailer park" and "yo daddy" comments are, and how that collectively contributes to misrepresenting other massage therapists who might otherwise support your more appropriate and better stated insights. I just emailed another therapist to check this thread out, then I come back to this. Only a minor embarrassment, but still, I miss the point of name calling and undermining altogether.

cs_colvin in Woodridge, Illinois said: Sheesh. I wonder if you realize how unprofessional the "trailer park" and "yo daddy" comments are, and how that collectively contributes to misrepresenting other massage therapists who might otherwise support your more appropriate and better stated insights. I just emailed another therapist to check this thread out, then I come back to this. Only a minor embarrassment, but still, I miss the point of name calling and undermining altogether.

I have to say I agree with this sentiment. I am all for using a higher and more evolved discussion to debate the merits (or lack thereof) of Massage Envy. I have tried on my end to do just that but I think we should attempt to communicate our differences with more sensitivity towards the opposing views of others. No sense to stoop to name calling and ad hom attacks. It doesn't help anyone make their case and actually weakens the case of those who lower themselves to it on either side of the issue.
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And as for "Rush Limbaugh" fun, that guy is not worth emulating. There is nothing "fun" about a lowbrow, humorless bully. Please try to keep our discussion on an higher plane so that we can truly expose Massage Envy for what it is and not make targets out of ourselves and undermine our collective dissent.

aeki in Austin, Texas said: Can anyone answer why our receptionist get 10 dollars extra for everyone who signs up and we the therapists only get 1? Also are our managers therapists and how did they get their manager position? Were they promoted from being a therapist or a receptionist or did they just get lucky and apply for it? Has any one out there been a manager or higher?

All of that stuff is up to the owner to set. At my ME the therapist who did the massage of a sign up gets $5 and the sales associate that sold the membership gets $5.

elsewhere in Burbank, California said: I have to say I agree with this sentiment. I am all for using a higher and more evolved discussion to debate the merits (or lack thereof) of Massage Envy. I have tried on my end to do just that but I think we should attempt to communicate our differences with more sensitivity towards the opposing views of others. No sense to stoop to name calling and ad hom attacks. It doesn't help anyone make their case and actually weakens the case of those who lower themselves to it on either side of the issue.
.

And as for "Rush Limbaugh" fun, that guy is not worth emulating. There is nothing "fun" about a lowbrow, humorless bully. Please try to keep our discussion on an higher plane so that we can truly expose Massage Envy for what it is and not make targets out of ourselves and undermine our collective dissent.

You are correct, time to move on and remember why we are here. Sometimes it gets pretty easy to get rattled by comments and start to move off track, really what everyone needs to understand is that the reason we are so passionate about our beleifs, is that we do care, about our profession, our clients and the health of an industry that has spent years earning respect. Some may think that is BS, but that is reality. We may not say things in the right way sometimes, or we may get upset, but there are no hurtful intentions, its just passion for a job we all love and want to be able to keep doing. We have to make sure our attitudes add to our quest, not subtract.

I am thinking of applying to a Massage Envy that is opening in Richmond and came to this board to find some comments/opinions on the business there. I realize each franchise runs differently according to it's owners but I am trying to get a general picture. I have been working as a cmt for 7 years, mostly private practice. I don't like the "salon and day spa" that's managed incompetently and has a lot of drama. The national hourly rate for a cmt/lmt averages about $25. How does ME compare to this? I would like to hear from mt's who have had experiences working at Massage Envy. thanks!

Rolinda in Chula Vista, California said: Im curious how many years of study in your field and what level Degree....Associates?....Bachelors? Because I could say the same about Respiratory Therapists....my field.

So, fine, say the same about your field. I merely answered to the specific things you brought up as being incredulous about re: LMTs. Simply put, LMTs put in a lot of hours and training, and are, in fact, part of the allied healthcare professions. I don't put down MDs, nor do I pretend that I am one. That said, I don't see a reason to denigrate my profession or pretend it's somehow lesser because I'm not an MD.

I answered to your main points, yet you keep switching goal posts, and that's pretty revealing.

wondering in Midlothian, Virginia said: I am thinking of applying to a Massage Envy that is opening in Richmond and came to this board to find some comments/opinions on the business there. I realize each franchise runs differently according to it's owners but I am trying to get a general picture. I have been working as a cmt for 7 years, mostly private practice. I don't like the "salon and day spa" that's managed incompetently and has a lot of drama. The national hourly rate for a cmt/lmt averages about $25. How does ME compare to this? I would like to hear from mt's who have had experiences working at Massage Envy. thanks!

So far as the drama, I dont think you can escape it. ME hires alot of recent grads and ther front desk staff is usually younger too so you get alot of inmature drama. The one I worked at was pretty good, but after the newness wore off, people started to backstabing and so on. Wages are not anything like you mentioned. They will tell you $27-$28 hr, but they are assuming a $10 or more tip. You get $15-$16 hr maybe a bit more or less depending on location. Try searching other options, if there arnt any, then do what you have to do, but always be on the look out for a better oportunity. ME is not the ideal place to make your career. DO NOT sign a non-compete clause, and make sure you have everything in writing. Interview them well at your interview, they have to measure up to your expectations as well as you to theirs. Talk to some employess and get an idea of the position and their take on the job, most will be honest. Ask about benefits and make sure employees are getting them! Figure out how many massages you can handle a day and calculate your earning potential compared to what they say you can make to make sure its attainable. If you have other questions, let me know, good luck!

Sideline in Lawrenceville, Georgia said: Am I 9??? Why the anger? Yes i do have a sucessful business. The name calling as well as the attitude seem to be the same thing you called us on. Check yourself before you go on to tell us about our character flaws. Good luck to you.

I am also considering working for ME, but before I do..Please allow me to jump in and ask a random question.. Would any of the new therapists out there consider working more independently if you could find a massage space to rent for a few days each month? Would you seriously consider signing an agreement to rent a space for $30-$70 per DAY, at least one day a week, for 6 months? You'd have a locker to keep your lotions, sheets and supplies in. The bigger equipment would be furnished. There would be a choice of differently decorated 12 x 14 furnished spaces to choose from. Big enough for setting up heated stones, aromatherapy, etc. Utilities are included. Voice mail boxes are optional. You would be responsible for your own sheets, using coin laundry on site if you wish, you must also clean any equipment you used when you're finished. This would be for MT's only!! No blow dryers, no ringing phones, etc. Sound good? Sound bad? Would you try it for 6 months? I need to hear from other therapists looking to be independent!!

I currently rent a space for $200/mo available eves and weekends. I sublet it to someone who uses it during the day for $70. An onsite coin operated washer is a good idea as I don't generate enough laundry to make a laundry service reasonable. I'm guessing that a space for $50 - 70 would be more the norm if you were buying a building or renting. The building I am in cost $50,000 15 years ago. Now it is worth $125,000.

I would love to be able to rent a space for $200 a month, especially for nights and weekends! Most places around here(a small room in a salon), rent for about $450-$600 a month, if you can find one! Or you can get a 12 x 15 "salon spa suite" for a little over $1000 a month, not so good for the beginning therapist with only 10 or so clients per month! I just wish there were more options for beginning therapists to become more independent without going broke trying.

Start snooping around. I know many therapists who sublet from chiropractors and smaller salons who like the rental revenue and charge low rent for an excellent opportunity to increase foot traffic. Besides, most chiro don't use their space in the eve and weekends when we get the bulk of our business - people paying on their own dime and time unlike chiro which many health care plans pay for, at least partizlly. Contact your local AMTA chapter (people you can share a space with) and local chiro schools. I'm going to repeat myself ... mix it up. Put some hours in at ME where the pay is poor but bankable and search for your own business space. It is really too bad ME doesn't see the wonderful opportunity to develop excellent franchise managers and owners by giving MT the opportunity to do M and work in mgmt. Hospitals and clinics don't relegate nurses to the floor - they seek individuals who are interested in management (and making the extra $ that goes with it). Think of all the MT who could continue enjoying providing massage (even at the low $15/hr rate) if they knew they could be paid for 40 hrs a week with competitive benefits. ME is in a perfect position to help the industry but it doesn't sound like there is much interest in developing any career tracks for MT. However, I am an optimist. If they want to develop a core staff that doesn't turn over every four months they'll figure it out eventually.

I think ME might be o.k. to start with, but only part time. $17/hr, plus tips. They did say they would give me an extra $3 in my paycheck if someone signed up because of me! They would also put $1 into my CE account each time someone asks for me by name, funny, so I wouldn't consider it a good source of income, but rather getting experience in working with different types of people, different body types ,etc. Another thing I noticed when being interviewed was that I was told I would never learn or be expected to do anything else at ME. I would be there only to massage the clients. As I took the tour, I noticed the employees didn't seem connected to each other, even though many were in the same break room. It just felt "cold" to me. I understand that they can't be laughing and talking too loud because of the clients in the next room, but I guess I'd like to view my job as a second family, and I just don't see that happening there. Due to the high turnaround rate, I don't think I would ever get the chance in between massaging to get to know anyone, and I would feel very isolated, just focusing on the clients (who you wouldn't have time to get to know either)and the experience I'm getting. I live close to 4 ME's, all of them constantly advertising for LMT's, so it's nice to know it's always an available option, and they are pretty flexible with the schedules, allowing me to basically choose my own hours. Even if I went in, did 2 massages, took a 1/2 hr. break, did 2 more, then left, that's about $100 day for 4-1/2 hours work, (in my area), allowing me enough time to do outcalls a few days a week for the bigger bucks, and still being home in time to cook dinner and be with the kids. I don't think I would ever do more than 20 massages per week at ME. The fact is, I don't want to work for someone else for very long, and ME is just the thing I need to motivate me to get out there and make it happen for myself.

Thank you Jes, I just might do that! It never occured to me to ask a chiro if they have any available space to rent. Men wouldn't be so weirded out by walking into a chiropractors office as they would going into a salon for a massage, the whole reason I didn't want to rent from a salon owner, I have an equal amount of male clients as I do female.

Feeney/LMT in Oswego, Illinois said: I would love to be able to rent a space for $200 a month, especially for nights and weekends! Most places around here(a small room in a salon), rent for about $450-$600 a month, if you can find one! Or you can get a 12 x 15 "salon spa suite" for a little over $1000 a month, not so good for the beginning therapist with only 10 or so clients per month! I just wish there were more options for beginning therapists to become more independent without going broke trying.

Why not try a home office for awhile? I dont know if you rent or own, but you could set up a nice area at home and also do outcalls for awhile, save enough to pay a lease for 6 mo. or 3 mo. and enough money to live off of for the same time period. If at the end of the 6 mo or 3 mo. you cant make a go of it then leave and try something else. sometimes you are able to rent rooms in chiropractic offices or Doctors for alot less money. They are always looking to add to their services and often you can come to an agreement.

has anyone ever asked for a raise? I thought about it. We still get the 15 per massage plus tips of course and we've been there for 3 months.

client in CA in Vineburg, California said: A Male Therapist : reading your post makes me laugh!
So you are saying that the doc who spend over 200k and 10 year on education had not taken the anatomy classes and does not know the terms for the entire body that you managed to learn in about 1800 hours and with 5k?

Do you really believe that yourself? cuz if you do, you really need to take your head out of sand! and if your MD brother does not know about the entire body and does not know medical terminology, please tell us all what his name is so was all can stay away from him, and possibly let the medical board of his state to suspend his practice!

come on people! wake up and be realistic!

Perhaps you should talk to your doctor about different parts of your anatomy, and find out what he or she REALLY knows. Yes.. I did pay 5 grand for my education, but have been doing hands on massage for quite some time already.. I only paid so that i could get my state license here. When a man who is a doctor can not understand the medical terminology of a part of the anatomy, and ask you to speak in laymans terms, its rather disturbing. Most of the doctors today would not be able to understand what your saying to them simply because they are all SPECIALIST. if you relate it to their specific area of interest, then they may be able to understand what your saying.. anything else out of their realm of practice, and you have to speak human..
Believe me, I have done this with several doctors in my area, and found them to be the same. Shame when they do pay all that money, and go to school for all that time, just to forget what they are really supposed to know.. and not just hand out rx's for drugs..

client's pov in Lafayette, California said: you are missing the point. and yes, if someone else would take 80% of the $300 you pay the doc, then cutting the middle man would make sense. It is not about ME determining the worth of LMT, it is about the fact that ME has made it affordable to those of us who cannot afford it otherwise, but now if out of the $39 i pay ME, only $15 makes it to the LMT's hands, then what I am saying is that there isn't really a need for an institution to get a massage, those who work at ME and are unhappy, can offer their services directlty to the client, and get more.

And again, YES, in all and every business, cutting the middle man increases profit to both the client and the provider.

I am not sure why there is constantly a tone of hositility in this forum. Are we here to talk and exchange opinions of are we here to attack? Why the hostile environment?

Unfortunately, dear client, We sign a non compete agreement with ME saying that we will not touch their clients for a period of 3 years after we leave ME's employment.
so we cant just walk in and say to a client that we would happily take them as a private client. now do you understand?

a Male Therapist. said: Unfortunately, dear client, We sign a non compete agreement with ME saying that we will not touch their clients for a period of 3 years after we leave ME's employment.
so we cant just walk in and say to a client that we would happily take them as a private client. now do you understand?

So if we signed this agreement, that means we can not see their client I understand that. but can we work in the same area without getting sued or something like that, because that is unfair where else can we go to work if we are not allow to practice in the same county, please somebody read their agreement and help me out I just want to know if I will get in trouble for working in a different city same county.not another ME of course.

But if you work at ME and I am a client and I can go to ME and pay $39, why would I follow you if you were going to charge me 50+. Who cares about the non-compete, they are unenforcable. ME doesn't have the time, nor the resources to track every therapist down to see if they are massaging their current, or former clients.
The point I am so poorly trying to get to is...why would a client leave massage envy if you are going to charge them more for your massage someplace else. They wouldn't, would they?

Kelly, I am an attorney and I have looked at several of these non competes, not just for ME employees, (both current and former), but for other professions as well. Most large corporations are making their employees sign them. The reality is, they can't stop you from earning a living. You can sign the non-compete all day long. It won't affect you from working in your county, or in the salon next door. I do agree with Listening & Learning though. They said why would a client leave ME if they would be charged more somewhere else.

Listening & Learning said: But if you work at ME and I am a client and I can go to ME and pay $39, why would I follow you if you were going to charge me 50+.
I do charge 50 in my private studio but i also give the full 60 min massage and i dont really care if u tip or not... I hope u do tip @ ME at least 10 $. If u do u r breaking even but i'm still doing a lot better... If u dont tip at least 10 bucks at ME than i feel sorry for the therapists workin on u.

I do tip, but if I went to your home, I would also tip. If the massages are teh same, except for 10 mins more, why would I go to you. I'm just asking, not trying to be difficult

Listening & Learning said: But if you work at ME and I am a client and I can go to ME and pay $39, why would I follow you if you were going to charge me 50+. The point I am so poorly trying to get to is...why would a client leave massage envy if you are going to charge them more for your massage someplace else. They wouldn't, would they?

Most massage at ME are between 45 to 50 minutes long. People working on their own could give your a full hour plus more if they felt like it. Once you figure in a tip at ME (which is what management at ME is hoping you will do so they can keep their prices down) you're paying about the same price give or take a few bucks. I guess it comes down to who the client would rather give their business to, corporate or independent contractor. I'd rather see all the money I pay for services go directly to the provider.

True, thx. :)

Oh no I am not trying to steal clients not at all, I was just afraid of not being able to work anywhere else in the same county.
But I can assure you some clients love a great massage and not every therapist can give you that. One day will happen to you when you find "your therapist" you might want to know where she goes. of course everyone is different.

My clients dont have to tip. I rather charge a resonable prize for both of us. at home i dont do 5 or 6 hours a day so my last massage is as good as my first one. Also there is no back to back scedule to the minute. If u r late a few min u will not be cut from ur time. If u find a great therapist why not help him/her to make a living for a long time and dont burn out in 2 years?
I work at ME too. Actually i dont think it's horrible. But i only work there 3 days a week. I'm never gonna be rich from doing massage but i love it and with my clients at home i can live ok. Hopefully even be a therapits 5 years from now...

Tar in Denver, Colorado said: If u find a great therapist why not help him/her to make a living for a long time and dont burn out in 2 years?

Great point Tar. I have been lucky to be doing this for 25 years. I have people I have seen every week for over 20 years. I'd like to pass the torch someday to people like you because the truth is the longer you do this, if you honor yourself and the work, the better you get at it. It's win/win for client and therapist. My concern is that too many will burn out before they really get into the rhythm of doing this for a living.

One thing everyone should consider. First, I will say that ME does a good job marketing, they have an attractive price point that seems to draw the consumer, but there is something that they are not getting. I talk to clients every day that have gone to ME and some that were members. The three biggest complaints are turnover, consistancy and contracts. Time and time again, they tell me of never being sure if they will get a good massage when they go in. They find a therapist they like and they are never available or they leave. They dont like contracts. People are creatures of habit. If you find a good mechanic or barber, you will keep going to them. Even if they raise the price a little or move, you still go to them because you trust their work and you have a comfort level with them and lets face it, people want consistancy in life. The problem is, ME thinks too much about a hook using price points and not on these other factors. Unfortunately, the only way they can solve these other issues, consistancy, less turnover, is to pay their therapists a decent wage. If they pay $15-$16 hr, how many therapists stay? how many apply that have 5-8yrs experience? not many. To answer the question of therapists charging $40 privately as to get the ME client to come to them, you have to remember, you are getting the same therapist EVERY time you go. Hopefully someone who is more experienced and gives you a full 1 hr. massage, gives discounts, package deals, does add ons for no extra charge, thats why its worth an extra $10-$15. Private practice MTs try harder, give more because they want to succeed and if something isnt working, they can change it, not always so with a franchise. There are many advantages to going to an independant and its worth a little extra. In my experience a lot of clients see it that way. Just something to consider.

I was wondering how much of the $75 my massage therapist charges me goes toward the rent, advertising, supplies, self-employment taxes and innumerable other expenses that go into operating a business? How much more than the $15 per hour does the independent therapist take home? What would be considered a reasonable wage to be payed by a spa or an enlightened ME?

Rolinda in Chula Vista, California said: You must be Cheree. And yes you did.

No, i never did. You made a comment about certain courses. I told you we did take anatomy/physiology and some other courses. I did not compare my education I stated we did take some courses. If you took that as my comparing educations then thats on your misenterperting.

Sideline in Duluth, Georgia said: You and all of your little group all swin in the same gene pool. Your wish is granted. You guys make anyone want to seek therapy, too bad it is mental therapy.
If you would take your own advice and read these posts, you would see I never said anything about debating you about your industry. I was trying to let you know how you were coming across. And it wasn't in a good light.
And by the way, invest in spell check. When you are trying to critize and talk your trash, I can almost see the wheels on the trailer rocking as you type all of your typo's!

You might want to take your own advice and get that spell check. It's crticize not critize.

CEspinoza in Jacksonville, Florida said: You might want to take your own advice and get that spell check. It's crticize not critize.

oops criticize

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona said: The three biggest complaints are turnover, consistancy and contracts. Time and time again, they tell me of never being sure if they will get a good massage when they go in. They find a therapist they like and they are never available or they leave. They dont like contracts. Even if they raise the price a little or move, you still go to them because you trust their work and you have a comfort level with them and lets face it, people want consistancy in life. The problem is, ME thinks too much about a hook using price points and not on these other factors. Unfortunately, the only way they can solve these other issues, consistancy, less turnover, is to pay their therapists a decent wage. To answer the question of therapists charging $40 privately as to get the ME client to come to them, you have to remember, you are getting the same therapist EVERY time you go. Hopefully someone who is more experienced and gives you a full 1 hr. massage, gives discounts, package deals, does add ons for no extra charge, thats why its worth an extra $10-$15. Private practice MTs try harder, give more because they want to succeed and if something isnt working, they can change it, not always so with a franchise.

Well said LMT/CMT! I think that when you boil it down, people are not as dumb as Massage Enemy thinks they are. And even the rookie client is going to learn fast that Massage Enemy is really just a joke! If people are going to go to the bother of making an appointment and getting there, they are going to start expecting more than this faulty concept can deliver. We're starting to see this company fall apart already, the signs are all there!

That's why I believe that Elsewhere's comments about good therapists not freaking out and just waiting for their inevitable demise to happen. We will all be better off when they are gone!

I just want to add that experience doesnt make a good therapist all the time. Someone could take every CEU course it is take in a particular concentration, that doesnt mean the will be good at what they do. You can have the knowledge on how something works but if you cant apply it on the table you are in trouble. CEUs are a base structure like school ( they show basics). There are exceptions to every rule, and if you cant apply what you have learned to one person's problem then you are in trouble. With that said if someone goes to ME and get a 10 year veteran that doesnt have the natural talent for massage they would be even more disappointed than someone fresh out of school as it is expected for them NOT TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. So experience has nothing to with a good massage. I have been a LMT for almost 4 yrs now and I know I am better than some that have 10+ yrs experience

frank in Lake Charles, Louisiana said: I just want to add that experience doesnt make a good therapist all the time. Someone could take every CEU course it is take in a particular concentration, that doesnt mean the will be good at what they do. You can have the knowledge on how something works but if you cant apply it on the table you are in trouble. CEUs are a base structure like school ( they show basics). There are exceptions to every rule, and if you cant apply what you have learned to one person's problem then you are in trouble. With that said if someone goes to ME and get a 10 year veteran that doesnt have the natural talent for massage they would be even more disappointed than someone fresh out of school as it is expected for them NOT TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. So experience has nothing to with a good massage. I have been a LMT for almost 4 yrs now and I know I am better than some that have 10+ yrs experience

Great Points Frank! Some people are just professional students, they can't do anything but go to school. Massage is about art as much as anything. People also have to have the keen ability to palpate tissue properly. They need to be compassionate to really love people and have the disire and help the clients. These skills and gifts are essential in a good therapit. All agruments for why a GOOD therapist should be paid a GOOD to GENEROUS wage! Wise artistic healers should be appreciated and rewarded.

Continued....Massage Enemy rips off the GOOD therapist. And I'm sorry, but it makes no sense what so ever for a GOOD therapist to stay at Massage Enemy! In fact, any GOOD therapist who is staying is doing a disservice to the whole industry. What those therapists are saying with their tollerance of this dysfunctional company is that "it's ok to underpay and abuse therapists". Think about it!

frank in Lake Charles, Louisiana said: So experience has nothing to with a good massage. I have been a LMT for almost 4 yrs now and I know I am better than some that have 10+ yrs experience

Yes and no. Experience can have a lot to do with giving a good massage, education doesn't necessarily though. The point is that you "Frank" aren't as good as you will be in 10 more years. That's where experience comes in. You have the talent and that's obviously a given for you, but talent has to be nurtured and talent evolves and my point is it should be done without respect to balance and not the possibility of burning out the prospect. I agree with "fed Up" I always think of massage as an art form. I started out here in Hollywood working on the biggest film sets and the biggest names in the movies before I had ever taken a single class. I was lucky sure but I had raw talent and as I kept doing it it evolved. I got better. I took classes and still do from time to time. Asgood as I seemed to be years ago I feel I am much better at this now, 25 years later. That's where experience comes in.

People starting out at an ME might become disillusioned and burned out before they have the chance to grow into what they could be. Then ME will just pop in another ad and find someone else to take their place with no respect for nurturing their career.

$15 - 20/hr for someone who meets local licensing requirements (which vary in many states). $20 - $25/hr with national certification which is required by approx. 37 states. I don't want to launch an endless debate on the merits of NC or no NC, but it does provide everyone, including owners and customers a national standard. $25 - $30/hr if the MT has training beyond what is needed for national certification and can be used to draw customers to a facility, regardless of who owns it(cranial/sacral, mfr, pregnancy, isolated active stretching etc., etc.) - a negotiated item. Tips are NOT included - this is undependable income that a MT uses for insurance, licensing, training (including required ceus), uniforms, gas, etc.) If the facility charges a competitive rate of $55 - 75 as done throughout the industry, one person may not make a killing, but everyone makes a living. ME does not need to charge $39 for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th massage someone has in a month and 3 people do not need to be sitting at a front desk nor be making more than MT.

Bravo, you have a good handle on the formula for enjoying and surviving as a MT.

Convenience is more important than cost (unless you are a retired or a non-working customer). From my experience, most clients would be very happy to find 3 MT at a ME (or another facility) they liked so they could always depend on scheduling a massage whenever it was convenient for them. And, they would pay $50 - $75. ME charges so little they cannot guarantee therapists will stay around long enough and just when the client thinks they have found someone, they're gone (and so is the contract renewal when this happens again and again over a year.) Therefore, other local businesses that have a group of MT working together and who are paid professional wages will benefit in the long run when clients go weary of the ME turnover. Ironically, those businesses will have more to fear if and when ME raises their rates - ME will attract more MT who will benefit from the national advertising and who stay around longer because they are paid compariable rates.

Hey guys I'm still currently employed at An Envy and am looking to make out-calls now. I put an ad on the internet and only got 3 replies all which were shady or wanted something other then just a massage. Does anyone have any advice?

aeki in Roanoke, Texas said: Hey guys I'm still currently employed at An Envy and am looking to make out-calls now. I put an ad on the internet and only got 3 replies all which were shady or wanted something other then just a massage. Does anyone have any advice?

I have never advertised for the reasons you just mentioned. Network yourself among your friends and current clients. For every non-ME massage you give pass out three cards and say "I work strictly by referral so if you have any friends that would like my work please let them know about me." Then after each new client you see send them a handwritten thank you note (buy some nice ones at the card shop and write a simple thank you) and include another business card. It's simple but effective. This is all I've ever done and it's worked out amazingly well. Happy clients are the best source to network yourself.

Good luck in your efforts.