How Lucrative is a Massage Therapy Career?

Massage therapy is definitely a strong career opportunity to look into. Unlike many other job options, massaging offers you a great deal of flexibility. While you can generate a sizable income working at a spa or hotel, many people are able to make good money simply by working from home with a select list of clients. Another thing to consider is that the scope of this job is far-reaching. Today many different kinds of institutions use massage therapy, meaning there is a variety of jobs available in a range of different sectors.

How Does It Work?

These kinds of therapists are generally paid according to their experience. That is, the longer you have worked in the business, the better salary you can expect. It is true that self-employed therapists generally make more money than those who work for someone else. However, it is difficult to start massage therapy on a freelance basis. The key is to work with reputed facilities for a good amount of time. This helps build an impressive resume as well as gives you the skill sets needed to start a business on your own. Perhaps most important of all, it will help you build a client list which you can rely on during your self employment.

A factor that will affect your salary rate is where you are employed. Today, therapists are employed by places as varied as hotels, gyms, nursing homes and hospitals. A therapist will be paid either on an hourly basis or on a per-session basis. In general, the hourly basis method is more popular. Most therapists will work a 40-hour week, since the job is physically taxing on the arms and shoulders. Another thing to consider is that most massages also include other kinds of treatments and preparations.

Don't Be Put Off By The Hourly Rate

When considering massage therapy careers, some people get put off by the starting hourly rates. It is true that the rates do vary slightly between those therapists who are licensed and those who are certified. The starting hourly wage at a private company can be a little over ten dollars an hour. But a self-employed therapist can charge thirty dollars an hour or even double that amount. It's important to remember that while the starting rate may seem small, the pay rapidly increases. Studies have shown that after just a single year of work experience, the starting hourly rate can jump by as much as 39%. Because it is such a lucrative career option which often doesn't take up much time, many people like to do it on a part time basis while pursuing other courses, like nursing.

The bottom line is that massage therapy gives you the ability to earn a full-time salary even if you only work on a part time basis. However, in order to draw a good salary, you need to start by gathering an ample amount of work experience. Other factors that will affect the salary you draw or the amount you can charge are the location of your facility and what kind of massages or extra treatment you offer in a session.