What Does a Massage Therapist Do?
Massage Therapists are generally employed at massage clinics, spas and salons to provide rejuvenating and relaxing massages to clients. Massage Therapists maintain knowledge of human anatomy and the musculoskeletal system so they can effectively target points of tension on a client’s body and ease the symptoms of physical stress. They use varying amounts of pressure to improve circulation and target tense or knotted muscles. Massage Therapists communicate with clients about their comfort level and what areas they would like to focus on, setting clear expectations for what areas of muscle and tissue they plan to address.
Massage Therapist Skills and Qualifications
The required and preferred skills of a massage therapist may include previous work experience, technical skills, soft skills and personality traits. Some states have educational or licensing requirements for massage therapists that should be included here.
Other skills and qualifications for massage therapists may include:
- Completed 500 hours of massage therapy courses
- Must hold current massage therapy certification
- At least four years of experience as a professional massage therapist
- Experience working in a spa preferred
- Strong interpersonal communication skills
- Time management abilities
- Demonstrated sales and customer service skills
Massage Therapist Salary Expectations
The average massage therapist salary is $28.25 per hour in the U.S. Massage therapist wages commonly range from $7.25 to $67.40 per hour. The starting salary for your open position will vary based on the skills required and the therapist’s experience.
Massage Therapist Salary Expectations
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Common salary:
41.02 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
8.55 -98.15 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Massage Therapist Education and Training Requirements
Successful completion of a massage therapy program generally requires a minimum of 500 hours of study, but some programs require 1,000 hours. Your business will determine what education level best suits your needs. Most states require massage therapists to be licensed, but this varies. Research this at both the city and state level, as some cities have different standards from the state requirement. If your business is in a locality that requires a license, note this in your job description. Massage therapists may also need to get a CPR certification or a background check or be required to carry liability insurance, either personally or through an employer. Check into the legal requirements for your area and list them in your job description.
Massage Therapist Experience Requirements
Your business will determine what experience level you require of a massage therapist. If you have a team of Massage Therapists, you may not require any experience beyond their massage therapy program, which will open your application pool to entry-level candidates. For an advanced massage therapist, the general requirement is three years of experience.
Job Description Samples for Similar Positions
This guide will get you started on your massage therapist job description. If you need some more ideas, we have other sample job descriptions available, including:
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