Is it a good job

eepoy in new york said: I have been encouraging people for years to consider massage therapy a part-time job/career while obtaining a higher degree. If you think about, during college you want to maximize your earning potential during the limited time that you will typically have to work. Hmmm, minimum wage and possibly a decent amount of tips or sales commissions to earn maybe $8-$10 per hour with retail or restaurant working 20 hours per week, or $15-$25 per hour working 8-15 hours per week? If you work for an established massage facility where you do not need to spend much time marketing and creating clientele for yourself, then that would be the best scenario. Avoid a rental situation unless you know you can commit to the time necessary to develop clientele.

www.swiha.edu

There are SO MANY variables to that scenario it is unbelievable. Are you a gifted MT so that people come to you because they heard about you.

How do you find a place that you don't have to market??????????????? Tell me I'd love to work there.

Is there the ability to have a slow time financially. When you work at a restaurant it is steady work; massage is NOT consistent and steady.

for every hour spent in session you should be charting and marketing for 15 to 20 minutes so 8-15 mins in session is many more hours of busy work not to mention laundry.

I have been doing this for 12 years and let me tell you it IS NOT easy money! It is a labor of love and commitment and dedication!

OK I am done venting.

I'm 46 years old.I been a legal secretary for 25 years. Thinking about going to school for massage therapy.I'm not quitting my job right away. I love massages and I think they are very helpful to this stressful world. Will it be hard to make a decent salary?

What I can tell you about massage therapy - I have a friend (went to court reporting school, worked with her as a legal secretary/paralegal, etc). She was a massage therapist for (at least five years). She went back to the legal field because she said quote, "The market was just over saturated with massage therapists and it was hard to get a job."

Back in 1981 when I moved to Florida, I just started out as a court reporter (had RPR status). In Tampa, I was LUCKY to get any job in court reporting. Oversaturation. There were 13 court reporting schools in the area. The owners of reporting firms were making MORE MONEY operating a court reporting school.

Go through your phone book or check the Internet - find out how many training programs there are in your general area for massage therapy. That should give you a general idea of your competition.

mona in Lake Charles, Louisiana said: I'm 46 years old.I been a legal secretary for 25 years. Thinking about going to school for massage therapy.I'm not quitting my job right away. I love massages and I think they are very helpful to this stressful world. Will it be hard to make a decent salary?

I don't know about your area but as far as the profession... it is hard work to make a decent living doing massage. The hardest part is getting your clientelle. When I go to career days the most common misconception is that people think they will be able to work a few hours a day and make 40 - 50K per year. To make that much you need to work making 1/4 of that for 10 years building your clientelle and then a recession hits so we will see how much longer it will take.

I wish you all of the luck you deserve but please don't go into massage unless you have a passion for it and think you can do it well.

I am not sure that people look at the industry in the right way. I belive that Massage Therapy as a industry is going to grow larger as the insurance industry realizes the benefits of massage over surgery. If you have been trained in medical massage therapy or sprts massage therapy the field is wide open if you feel that a spa like setting is more your forte well there is a burgeoning niche as well. I live in florida and have seen that for as many massage therapist there are there are markets available for all. I dont believe that one massage therapist is much the same as another so dont believe that there can be that much competition. After all you would have to be taught my styles and methods of choice as well I yours for there to be a comparison. As we find that more and more pathologies are found to benefit from massage therapy and in some cases the only recommended treatment as in Fibro Myalgia the field will grow. Strive to become a competant and professional medical massage therapist and you will have a bright future.

Adrian,

I agree with all that you said. I do hear a little naivety in your statement however.

Insurance doesn't recognize massage as the amazing tx that it is....yet. Leaving many of my colleugues owed thousands of dollars.

In our area the market is so bad that business' are closing down that leads to people NOT getting massages, many not even buying Christmas presents.

I love massage (giving an getting) and I would love to have a lot more GOOD therapists around but I worry about people spending the money and time to go through school all the while thinking that they are going to get out of school and land a great job.

The truth is that, depending on your area,(I am sure there are some areas that don't have enough MT's)you really need to be dedicated and consistent and gifted at Massage to keep your clientelle. There are many MT's that come in new and (ie) my client will go to them once because they have an intro price of $30.00 well with that one visit I have missed $60.00 income. They always come back but when you have a huge flux like that with your clients it can be painful to the pocket book. Eventually those clients stop doing that but then you have new clients they will do the same thing... you see what I am saying. You will see under other topics in the massage forum that one MT was even giving FREE chair massages on her off hours(at her place of work) causing other MTs clients to cancel n get a free massage.

All I am saying is dont expect to become a millionaire doing massage. It is honest hard work and if you have a passion for it you stand a chance of making a decent wage....if you live modestly.

mona in Lake Charles, Louisiana said: I'm 46 years old.I been a legal secretary for 25 years. Thinking about going to school for massage therapy.I'm not quitting my job right away. I love massages and I think they are very helpful to this stressful world. Will it be hard to make a decent salary?

I am a manager of a day spa. I have worked as a therapist for 9 years before finally, for the first time in my career, I am salary (but only because I manage and still do a small amount of massage a week). My spa employees 10 therapists and right from their first interview, they all assume they want 40 hours of massage a week. That just won't happen, in fact that could never physically happen. Even in a peak season, a therapist may take home up to $100 in tips off of 4-5 hours of massage plus whatever their base pay is. But that doesn't mean that will last all year. I advise all my staff to maintain a part-time job that can give them the steady income base they need to support themselves while they build their massage career. Building your clientel is as much about your personality as it is about your skill as a therapist. However, I wouldn't change what I do for a living for anything!

I am so with you on all of what you just wrote!! I do recruiting from MT schools for my spa and I also do guest speaking on my career as a therapist and believe you me, I do not sugar coat anything. I make sure to relay the pros and cons of being either an independent contractor or working as an employee. Yes, making $60 an hour on ONE massage may sound great, but you have to save atleast HALF of that for your taxes (because that's not taken out), then you have to account for laundry, health insurance (if you have any), and if its your own business, there's marketing, utilities and other overhead costs. So....it's like you said, a labor of love!!

Missoula,

I think YOU may have missed what Adrian was saying...its not that massage is easy to just jump in and start making big bucks...of course you have to work and be dedicated and expect ups and downs and cancellations as in any business (and it isn't even enough to be a dedicated therapist, you need to be business savvy too so that you know what to do when those cancellations and recessions happen..)
but in the very near future when the insurance companies begin to carry massage therapy...which I firmly believe is going to happen, then the game is going to change and then it won't be such a struggle anymore because it will be an insured health practice.

mona in Lake Charles, Louisiana said: I'm 46 years old.I been a legal secretary for 25 years. Thinking about going to school for massage therapy.I'm not quitting my job right away. I love massages and I think they are very helpful to this stressful world. Will it be hard to make a decent salary?

Hi, I am a 48 old secretary and work in the criminal justice system. I started MT school in October 2007, and went 4 nights a week (one night was my clinical hours) and completed my 9 month MT certificate in June 2008. I live in NJ and took the National Certification test on September 9th, 2008 and passed!!! I took it because right now NJ is in the process of required MT's to be Licensed. Also, I may move to Delaware in a few years, and felt it was good to have. I currently have a few clients. I am so very happy that I made this decision. I love giving massages, and learning as much as I can about it. The anatomy is crucial. I am planning on retiring in 2010 from my full time job, and will be able to collect a pension and have benefits; therefore, I will be able to concentrate more on giving Massages. I would consider such things as: going to school at night while working, once you quit your job-will you have benefits?-VERY IMPORTANT, and if you will work for someone or have your own office. Good luck with your decision. I am very happy about being a Massage Therapist

I dont think that I am being naive when i state that the industry is burgeoning. The numbers speak for themselves. The health and wellness industry brings profits now in the trillions of dollars. Massage therapist who are being certified today are entering a industry where the growth potential is estimated to be 75 percent in the next 20 years as baby boomers age. I don't think those numbers are naive. whats naive is the idea that the massage therapist does not have to be aware of those numbers. I am a pretty savvy business man and I am fully invested in my future as a L.M.T. I will pursue education in all areas of bodywork so that I can offer my clients the benefit of my knowledge and experience thereby ensuring a bright future. I so wholly belive this that I am furthering my education and entering a program to become a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. A field now accepted and integrated in to modern western medicine. So I say to anyone entertaining the idea of becoming a L.M.T. "come on there is always room for one more".

Im still in highschool but i have been looking into Massage therapy. I love giving massages and its something that interst me. I keep getting so many different answers about if its worth it. To me its worth it but i also want be be able to finacially take care of myslef. So would it be smart to have a steady job on the side? please give me adive my email is christa119@yahoo.com

I love being a massage therapist and it is what I was meant to do; HOWEVER, I must say that I am getting ready to retire from my first career after 20 years, and will be receivng a pension and health benefits for myself and my husband, for the rest of my life. It is very important to get health benefits and steady income, so I do think it is a very good idea to get a job that you can get both. I also think there is a lot to learn as a Massage Therapist, and it is important that we continue our education in order to do so. It may be a good idea to start part time and see where your career takes you as an MT. All the best.

I was a licenced massage therapist for 10 years and also nationally certified for 5 years. I got out of the profession not because I did not love helping people feel better, but for many reasons. More massage schools opened up in my area and my body hurt all the time. The money was not steady because the area was saturated with many therapists. Yes, some are good and some not so good but there are only so many clients who can afford massage therapy and who would choose to receive it. Yes, I did work another job but you have to have hours open for massage always accommodating your clients' schedules. I ran my own business for the entire 10 years never working for any one else. I rented space so I did not have overhead costs which would have caused pressure to have so many sessions to pay the rent and other costs. Another thing was I was afraid to tell people what I did for a living. It was one of three reactions; prostitute, admiration or they looked at me as if I was an oddball. Most of the time people thought I was a glorified prostitute. That hurt a lot considering the 18 months of school, the hundreds of hours of CEUs and back breaking work. Do I miss it sometimes? Yes. I do not see massage being covered by insurance any time soon. I hoped and prayed that it would but the recognition is not there. The people I saw making money in the profession were the school owners churning out new therapists and therapists/chiropractors that taught these continuing education courses that tried to give you a new edge in attracting clientele. The best part about the business was making people smile and all the tax write offs for running your own business. I am not going back into the profession and have went back to school.
Good Luck

You are right when you save that it is best to use massage as a supplemental income and too many students of massage are not aware of those factors and it's very important. The advertising for therapist makes the career look like it can be a sole career. It depends on your circumstances. I love massage but wish that I was better informed going in. I'm also going for my yoga instructor certification too. We sound like we are following the same career paths and I totally understand where you're coming from.

Asta in Monroe, Georgia said: You are right when you save that it is best to use massage as a supplemental income and too many students of massage are not aware of those factors and it's very important. The advertising for therapist makes the career look like it can be a sole career. It depends on your circumstances. I love massage but wish that I was better informed going in. I'm also going for my yoga instructor certification too. We sound like we are following the same career paths and I totally understand where you're coming from.

I am interested in becoming a Certified Yoga Instructor, I find Yoga and Massage so closely related, I also think it might be easier to find work and a Yoga instructor. A lot of Massage Therapy places want to put you on "call". Give me a break. I still love being a Massage Therapist, and continue to learn all that I can.

I have been an RMT for over 16 years, owning my practice the from the start. It was not easy, a lot of hard work, marketing, networking, advertising, connecting with other medical professionals. Here in Ontario IT IS covered by insurance and yet many of us still struggle to get by financially. The sad news is even though many RMT's are gifted healers and therapists, unfortunately those same ones also have other jobs to help make 'ends meet'. My province and region is extremely over saturated, and recently I just found out yet another massage school in my area is opening in September, we already have 2 in a populated area of about 300,000. 3 schools would be unreasonable. How many other professionals spend $18,000-20,000 on their education knowing they will also need to have other unrelated income for support? The rationale behind that makes no sense whatsoever, unless of course you had planned all along to have 2 or 3 jobs. I have taught at 2 massage therapy schools to supplement my income, and now I am back in school at age 45 to complete a degree in social work. My advice for those still in high school, research, research, researh, to see what jobs will be needed in the coming years ahead, and go for what suits you best.

I have been a LMT for 5 years and growing my own clientale was great until the economy flagged here in NC.
Now, besides what you said about having to supplement my income or do massage 4-5 days per week (which burns you out)...Massage Envy is a franchise that is rounding up all the massage therapists to become labor and its working. Chains are springing up all over and clients are flocking.
Its disappointing and at 43, I am going back to school for nursing.

I work full-time at a University and am planning on keeping my job. At the same time, I'm looking to do something that involves working directly with people, and using my hands. I miss seeing what magic our hands can create. I have always enjoyed giving and receiving massages, and thus I recently started thinking of going to a MT school. I don't plan on doing MT full-time but would like to make it something I can do evenings and weekends. I don't expect to earn a ton of money, and only want to supplement my current income, make people happy, and meet great people. I would love to work with hospice and AIDS or cancer patients.

I have never pursued a "physically" involved career - but have always enjoyed using my hands and have always considered a career where I can 'create' something. Additionally, I like the fact that MT is something that I can pursue almost "for fun" anywhere, and "for pocket money" as long as I ensure I'm legally licensed and have a client base. I'm planning on pursuing my doctorate in Germany in the next couple of years, and think being a MT would be a great way to relax and earn a little money on the side. Am I being naive, or not?

Jeffrey in New York, New York said: I work full-time at a University and am planning on keeping my job. At the same time, I'm looking to do something that involves working directly with people, and using my hands. I miss seeing what magic our hands can create. I have always enjoyed giving and receiving massages, and thus I recently started thinking of going to a MT school. I don't plan on doing MT full-time but would like to make it something I can do evenings and weekends. I don't expect to earn a ton of money, and only want to supplement my current income, make people happy, and meet great people. I would love to work with hospice and AIDS or cancer patients.

I have never pursued a "physically" involved career - but have always enjoyed using my hands and have always considered a career where I can 'create' something. Additionally, I like the fact that MT is something that I can pursue almost "for fun" anywhere, and "for pocket money" as long as I ensure I'm legally licensed and have a client base. I'm planning on pursuing my doctorate in Germany in the next couple of years, and think being a MT would be a great way to relax and earn a little money on the side. Am I being naive, or not?

Great idea Jeffrey, It is a very interesting and rewarding field. The best part about doing it part time is that you can pick and choose your hours, since you have a full-time job. Also, clients paying in cash is nice. I also give event chair massages, which can be hard work, but you can market yourself and meet some really nice people. Good luck in your endeavors.

Jeffrey in New York, New York said: I work full-time at a University and am planning on keeping my job....I'm planning on pursuing my doctorate in Germany in the next couple of years, and think being a MT would be a great way to relax and earn a little money on the side. Am I being naive, or not?

I agree with Babyace, Jeffrey. Massage for me is a wonderful part-time practice. The fewer massages I do the more I enjoy it, actually. The only challenge in your situation may be finding clients since most therapists are self-employed. There are agencies out there that call on therapists occasionally for special events and other outcall situations. I know an event planner who arranges large conferences in my area who sends a lot of work my way at no charge, just an occasional massage!

Hospice and cancer work is very emotionally challenging but rewarding. You could most definitely find plenty of work through a local hospice organiation.

The great thing about massage for me is how appreciative the clients are. They're almost always happy and ready to receive your services. Plus the tips are great! So in your situation I'd most definitely recommend massage. You have a realistic approach and seem to be grounded enough to handle the challenges before you. Good luck!

Tony in Beaverton, Oregon said: I agree with Babyace, Jeffrey. Massage for me is a wonderful part-time practice. The fewer massages I do the more I enjoy it, actually. The only challenge in your situation may be finding clients since most therapists are self-employed. There are agencies out there that call on therapists occasionally for special events and other outcall situations. I know an event planner who arranges large conferences in my area who sends a lot of work my way at no charge, just an occasional massage!

Hospice and cancer work is very emotionally challenging but rewarding. You could most definitely find plenty of work through a local hospice organiation.

The great thing about massage for me is how appreciative the clients are. They're almost always happy and ready to receive your services. Plus the tips are great! So in your situation I'd most definitely recommend massage. You have a realistic approach and seem to be grounded enough to handle the challenges before you. Good luck!

Thanks Babyace and Tony - very encouraging responses! I'll talk to my friends who are massage therapists and make a decision over the next few weeks. Also, one of the reasons why I would love to work with Hospice patients is because I used to work in research at a cancer hospital - so I had to meet patients and introduce treatment plans to them, but I had to stay very emotionally distanced, when all I wanted to do was give them a hug, more often than not, knowing their treatments weren't going to really help. Doing something comforting would just feel so much better, knowing that I was able to make someone's last few days/weeks/months easier on him/her and his/her family.

Omg Jeffrey, you are a sweetheart. Also, just FYI I work at a Hair Salon one day a week, which I happen to really like (and get free hair service). Like Tony, I do limit the amount of Massages I take, I want to always be fresh, attentive and patient. All the best to you!!

I worked at an ME, a salon, and a chiro's office while building my own clientale at the same time. It took a lot of work, but I have my own private practice now with 50 clients....half of them are weekly/bi weekly and I am able to live very well on the income. My business has been built by word of mouth without any advertising. I love what I do, I read up on everything, I take lots of classes, and I integrate all of that into the massage. It works....but you have to work at it.

i am 16 in 10th grade at school. i dont have the best grades and my dream is to me a physical therapist when im out of high school. any advice?! would this be a good paying job?