Massage Therapist Salary

Massage therapists have to work really hard as their professional reputation depends on the skill with their hands. Massage therapists use their hands or implements to manipulate the muscles and joints of their customers so that they can relieve stress and joint pains. Obviously, highly trained masseuses or massage therapists will get paid much more than beginners.

Type of massage - There are several thousand different types of massage that are carried out in different cultures all over the world. For example, ancient Ayurveda uses several techniques that combine massage with oil treatments, medicinal powders and meditation to distress, medicate and treat patients. Swedish massage on the other hand is completely different but it is preferred in the European world. Other popular types of massage that are commonly done include deep tissue massage, hot stone, Watsu, Lymphatic drainage, Hilot, Champissage, Remedial, traditional Chinese, Trager, Thai, pregnancy, reflexology etc. Every branch will be popular with a section of clientele but massage therapists who have trained in multiple types of massage are more likely to be paid above average massage therapist salary 2012 rates.

Experience -- It stands to reason that candidates who have more experience will get paid more. For example, candidates with less than one year experience get an average salary of about $32,500 - $57,500. Candidates with 1-4 years may get about $12,164 - $50,337. Massage therapists with 5-9 years may get paid an average salary of about $30,410 - $175,254. Experienced candidates with 10-19 years of experience may get an about $19,200 - $50,950 as an average massage therapist salary 2012 package.

Industry -- Massage therapists may work in a multitude of settings. For example, they might work in a spa, resort or salon. In a private practice or a firm, the average massage therapist salary 2012 rate will be about $19,393 - $35,375. However, masseuses may also work privately and visit their clients' homes or workplace with their equipment. Usually, these home visits cost more and these massage therapists may get paid $21,500 - $148,842 or much more

Education -- Most massage therapists learn on the job but there are candidates who will also attend professional massage institutes to learn the procedures. These institutions will usually offer diplomas or certificates for the candidates and teach them the basics of a particular form of massage. Candidates may also continue their learning by enrolling themselves for short term courses in different types of massage. After completing the course, students may opt to sit for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) and the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) to get additional certification and licensure. Certified candidates are preferred by salons, spas and resorts and they automatically get paid a higher salary that may range from $29,833 to about $44,621.

Clients usually prefer the services of a single masseuse who knows their medical and health problems and who can adapt the massage routine to suit individual needs. Massages may be 10 minutes long or they might be combined with cosmetic and medical treatments to last 2-3 hours. However, clients do tend to remember massage therapists who do a good job and they turn out to be regular customers.

Complete Information on Massage Therapist Salary

Are you thinking of becoming a massage therapist? If yes, then you will be glad to know that the massage therapist salary is extremely decent. Yes, there was certainly a time when people involved in this profession faced a difficult time trying to make the two ends meet. Not any more! Back in those days, most people went for a massage when they wanted some relaxation. Hardly anybody understood that a massage offered plenty of therapeutic advantages too. However since then, the facts have surfaced.

Today we are aware of the fact that there are indeed a number of health benefits of taking a massage. It is a fact that even doctors and medical professionals are often recommending a massage. As more people have discovered this, the rush at the therapists table has increased. Naturally with this, the massage therapist salary has increased exponentially. More people have now taken up this profession. The social stigma around it has also gone down. Today, they are not just referred to as message therapists. They are also called "wellness professionals" often.

So how much money can you make in your massage therapist salary?

While it is true that you can make a lot more today, the exact amount may be difficult to state. That's because, it can depend on several factors. But having said this, massage therapist salary on an average can certainly be mentioned. According to statistics, the average massage therapist salary in the US is about $40,000 in a year. That's not bad all. However you should know that the actual money earned is much more than this when you consider the tips. A good therapist can actually earn even up to 30% or 40% more on top of the salary. Of course the tips you earn on top of the salary will depend on whom you are massaging, and how happy you are able to make the person feel. So, your expertise will be an important determining factor here. This will take the earning to more than $50,000 annually. In other words, the person can easily make about $4,500 in a month, which is decent earning anywhere in the US.

There are various places where these people are employed. Some of them work in hospitals, while others are employed in the physician's office. There are other health practices too that employ professional massage therapists. The recreation industry (hotels, resorts and massage parlors) also keep them in their premises.

The average pay for people in this profession depends on where the person is employed. For instance, according to statistics, the average hourly pay for people who are working in the recreation industry is about $20. If the therapist is working in a hospital, the person can expect to earn much more than this -- about $26 for each hour of work done. In the physician's office, the therapist can earn about $19 hourly. And at other health practices, the pay is around $21 hourly. So it is clear from this that you can get the highest massage therapist salary if you are working in a hospital. Overall, the average hourly pay can vary largely. It can range between just $7 for an hour of work to $35 for each hour of massage.

Interestingly, you can make much more massage therapist salary if you are working on an hourly basis. Some employers will ask you to join up on a monthly basis, just like it is in other professions. Gently disagree. An hourly arrangement gives you more flexibility, and the money you can earn is usually much more too, if that is, you are able to get clients in most of your working hours of course.

But there is one more area where you can earn a lot of money as a massage therapist. In fact, this is the highest paying of them all. It is a fact that you will be able to earn the most if you can start your own massage parlor. Not only will you be earning a lot of money, but you can also employ other massage therapists in your facility. Of course, this is not exactly a job. In this, you are more into business. But, you will still be offering your own personal massage services to your clients.

Massage therapist salary earned will also depend on your geographical location. For instance, it is usually high in large cities as compared to rural communities. It can be even more in tourist places such as Las Vegas, Orlando, New York, and such others.

Your massage therapist salary will depend on your qualification

To practice as a massage therapist, you need to get professional certification. The days when just about anybody could give a rub down are long gone. Now there are schools that are offering professional programs for people who want to take up this profession. There is much to learn in these programs. And so, you should definitely join one. Take this seriously. Employers will only hire people who have completed such a program and cleared the exam. They are always looking for people with certification. You will get that certification only once you have cleared the exam. You may still be able to get a job without certification, but in such cases, your massage therapist salary will not be good enough. To earn the maximum massage therapist salary, you must join one of these programs.

There are plenty of schools all over the US. Some of them are good, while others aren't that great. Check the details of the programs offered, and find out whether the school is accredited or not. Check carefully, and join only once you are completely satisfied. A few schools can even hook you up with an employer. It is always best to join one of them, because you are saved the trouble of searching for a job on your own.

Your income will grow with your experience. Pick up a few skills, put in a few years of work, and your massage therapist salary can be really very high.

Establishing a career in this field is proving to be a challenge for a male massage therapist. The reason is based on the perceptions of men performing as professionals in this medical arena. Their training is thorough as that of a female. Men achieve the same professional licensing status as women.

Many times applying for a position is where the difficulties surface. The interview is met with a “no males wanted” response. Men bravely take the necessary steps to set up a personal practice. The ads that are placed in the yellow pages, etc. get a number of calls. The rejections develop when the caller realizes the respondent is male. Read the rest of this entry »

Although people’s days of struggling to survive in the wild are largely a thing of the past, modern life is no less stressful on the human body. Years spent hunched over a computer keyboard, cramped behind desks and slouching in chairs can quickly turn a healthy body into a mass of pain, with joints forced into awkward angles and muscles overdeveloped or stretched in unnatural directions. More than ever, even young people are developing skeletal and muscular issues that normally would not appear until late in life, if at all. Back and leg pain are the most common complaints, with neck and shoulder problems close behind. Often, individuals end up pursuing expensive medical care just to reach a tolerable level of daily pain. Read the rest of this entry »

A lot has been written in alternative health magazines and websites about how good Thai massage is for every body at any age. This is a holistic style of massage which benefits the mind, body and spirit at the same time. Practitioners approach their clients with a spirit of hopefulness, honor for others, and a desire to heal which can be felt through the hands. The origins of this kind of massage come from the idea that there are pathways of energy throughout the body, and they become blocked at times due to imbalance and stress, when one loses sight of healthy priorities. When these channels are re-opened, one’s balance is restored, tension and disease dissipate, and a fuller life can be enjoyed. Energy comes back when once a person felt lethargic, or even depressed. Read the rest of this entry »

Massage therapist uniforms come in a variety of styles and sizes. Although most schools and professional organizations have their own particular requirements for what a massage therapist should wear, there are no universal standards. Each clinic, school, or setting will usually provide uniform instructions to the therapist. The clothing could be loose fitting or tight, colorful or plain.

Scrubs are a common uniform among many massage therapists. Clinics prefer scrubs due for the professional look they provide, in addition to their easy handling. Scrubs are easily washable if oil spills on them, and they do not need to be dry-cleaned. Most people associate scrubs with medical practitioners, as they add a respectful ambiance to the setting, as well as practicality. They can be stitched using a plain white, blue, green, or any other color of choice. Some clinics might want to use a specific color that represents their brand or logo. A therapist can wear scrubs on top of regular clothing, such as a t-shirt or a tight fitting shirt. However, the clothing worn underneath the scrubs must not interrupt with the movements of the therapist during the massage. Read the rest of this entry »

There are comprehensive insurance policies for massage therapists and all bodyworkers. If you do work in this industry, and you do not have one as at yet, you should be making plans on how to get one. That is the only way you will be able to practice your profession with confidence.

If you have practiced for sometime without massage therapist insurance, you might be asking yourself whether you really need it. Well, if you could foretell the future, and if you could be sure that you will not suffer losses in your line of work, you can just operate without insurance. However, those are a lot of ifs! The bottom line is that you need to be insured to protect yourself against all unforeseeable risks (aren’t they all!) Read the rest of this entry »