I'm thinking about going to massage therapy school. Do you licensed therapists enjoy your jobs?

Question

If you don't mind me asking, anyone know the true salary of a massage therapist. I'm on the Florida Coast, so there is a lot of resort opportunity down here. I'm eventually thinking of opening my own business or getting into sports massage (athletic training stuff). Also, I wouldn't mind a nice spa as well. Any feedback from current massage therapists is appreciated, positive & negative. I want to get a real feel before I decide if this is the career for me. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi,

I'm in Central Florida and I enjoy my work.  I help alot of people with aches and pains and I bill insurance too.  So, I'm helping people recover from injuries and also relieving stress.  

I don't make alot of money though.  The good jobs are difficult to get into unless you know someone and there are lots of places trying to rip off massage therapists and pay them $15/hour.  The competition here is staggering, so many therapists, so I'm going to school to be a Chiropractor and will sit for boards soon.  Being part time is definitely difficult.  

For the last 6 years I have only worked for myself and I have some loyal patients and I make $70/hour, but the work is very unpredicatable.  Some months I make 2500, but recently, I've made closer to 1200-1400, economy?

The spas can be ok, but I've also heard horror stories of being paid $30 for each massage but the spa having so many therapists on call that they only got 2 massages the whole 8 hours! $60 - 8 hours hmmm

And you will get calls asking for "extra" services and will have to learn how to "weed out" those unsavory fellows.  That for me, is the worst part of my job.

But, all in all I enjoy working with my patients.

Answer 2

I'll give a next-best answer, since no one responded to your sincere question. Julie Stentzel is a well-known massage therapist I've met. My guess is she would be happy to address some of your concerns. The link is:

http://www.massagetherapyinstitute.net/i...

Otherwise, I have a number of clients who are massage therapists and seem to very much enjoy their work. A number of younger people do it as an enjoyable profession to help offset the costs of college, while others have turned it into their profession. Asking around is the best way. It's why I trained as a homeopath, rather than ayurvedic practitioner or Naturopathic Doctor. Best wishes.

Answer 3

There are no accurate statistics.  Most massage therapists start their own businesses.  Jobs start at $15 an hour but you only get paid that when you are actually doing a massage.   You could probably make more at a nice spa if you know what you are doing.

Just like any other career you can make as much or as little as you want depending on your abilities to be professional, ask for what you need to make and set clear boundaries around your work.

Do your research and find out what spa or other place you really want to work at based on the way they treat clients and employees.  You can do that by asking for informational interviews with each place where you go in or talk to someone and ask them questions.  Go and get a few massages at each place and ask the therapists how you like it.  Don't just take the first job you are offered- take the job that you like the most and will be best for you.

Also go to the massage schools and interview them and ask as many questions as you can.  Talk to the students, teachers and graduates.

Take time to really figure out what you need and do as much research as you can to find out if a career is for you.