Massage therapists manipulate the soft tissue of the body in order to stimulate circulation and remove waste products from the muscles. Patients seek massage therapy for either its’ therapeutic benefits or for relaxation. There are a wide variety of massage types available to meet the needs of the client. Massage therapy that is given for therapeutic benefit tends to differ in technique and duration from massage that is used purely for relaxation and the training for the two different types differs as well.
Job growth for massage therapists is expected to be faster than average, especially for those looking to practice massage as a part time job or a second income. Projected figures for the years 2006 to 2016 project a twenty percent increase in the number of massage therapy positions. The average wage of a massage therapist in 2006 was $16.06 per hour with a high of $24.22 and a low of 10.98. The highest ten percent had an hourly wage of $33.83 and the lowest ten percent made $7.48.
A large number of massage therapists are self-employed and there is great potential in the field to start your own business. Developing a rapport with clients is key to gaining repeat business and having success in self-employment.
Education and Training
Thirty-eight states and the District of Colombia have licensing regulations for massage therapists. Check with your individual state to determine its licensing requirements. There are approximately 1,500 massage therapy schools, colleges, and training programs across the country. Many programs offer online courses or distance education. In states that have licensing requirements, successful completion of an accredited massage therapy-training program is required. In states that require certification for licensure, multiple testing options exist and the acceptance of the various tests varies from state to state. Check with the state licensing boards for testing requirements. Certification must be renewed every four years and the therapist must meet continuing education requirements. Online massage therapy training courses and massage therapy schools offer continuing education.
Because of the demanding nature of massage therapy, repetitive motion injuries and fatigue from standing on ones’ feet all day are occupational hazards. Massage therapists must learn to pace themselves and allow appropriate time between appointments for breaks.
Self-employed therapists with a large client base have the greatest earnings. For people with an engaging personality and a gift for putting people at ease, massage therapy can be a lucrative career.
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