Calling Licensed Massage Therapists

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m considering looking into medical massage therapy as a vocation to earn a bit more money than I am now and hopefully do something that I’ll enjoy doing. I’ve done some research and find that the financial investment for education and licensing is relatively small (around $4000) and it takes only a year of schooling to become licensed (it can be done faster even). There’s a variety of environments in which an LMT can work from self-employed to working in salons and wellness facilities and the average pay looks to be about twice what I’m currently making.

I enjoy giving massages and helping people achieve relaxation and/or pain relief. I’m not one of those people who give massages to coworkers without asking, but I’ve offered to and done it when we’re both comfortable that maybe I can help. My family members love my massages and I’ve been told by friends that I’m very good at it. I love getting them, too, when I have achy muscles or stress, so I think it’s a job that I could enjoy doing. It seems like it would be a somewhat stress-free occupation.

So, I’m asking anyone with any experience, current or former massage therapists, to give me some background and their impressions of their work. Anecdotal information of family or friends practicing MT is also appreciated. Thanks!

2

[QUOTE=Brown Eyed Girl]
…and the average pay looks to be about twice what I’m currently making.

[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure what you currently do, so you may already be aware of this or in a similar field. Is this about twice what you make as an hourly rate or annually? Making money as an LMT will almost certainly involve selling your services and building a clientele. If you are someone who absolutely hates to sell, beware. Also, consider the extra expenses associated with being self-employed, if you aren’t already. If making more money is a big part of why you want to do this, poke very carefully at the numbers.

3

My son tried this. Although he loves doing the massge work, he did not like the school. Because getting the license requires passing a test that includes things like Chakras, meridians, touch therapy and the like. If you are into woo, this won’t bother you, but you must learn it to pass the accredidation. He likes the money when he works but uses it as a supplement. You can only do so many massages in a day before it wears you out.

4

I’m currently a receptionist and have been working in office-type jobs for most of my adult life; secretary, administrative assistance, and so forth. The pay difference obviously varies depending on whether you are successfully self-employed or working for someone else, but based on the Dept. of Labor, the median difference is about $5/hr. Not a huge difference, but the potential for higher earnings appears to be greater:

[QUOTE=U.S. Department of Labor]
Median hourly earnings of receptionists and information clerks in May 2006 were $11.01. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.06 and $13.51. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.54, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $16.23.

Median wage and salary hourly earnings of massage therapists, including gratuities, were $16.06 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.98 and $24.22. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.48, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33.83. Generally, massage therapists earn 15 to 20 percent of their income as gratuities. For those who work in a hospital or other clinical setting, however, tipping is not common.
[/QUOTE]

When I was looking at annual income (I lost my link), receptionists fell in the $20,000 range while LMTs looked to be between $35-40k.

I’m also looking at hours worked and flexibility for reducing childcare expenses. I may not have to work 9-5/40 per wk as an LMT, while as a receptionist and secretarial work, that’s generally the given, although my current job does allow for some flexibility, it’s still pretty much standard office hours.

I certainly don’t expect to make a killing financially as an LMT, but it looks like a step up from my current earnings.

The fact is that I’m feeling a discernible lack of interest in my line of work, I would like to find something a bit more personally satisfying. Just wondered if LMTs generally enjoy what they do and if they found the financial investment of education to be worth their pay. I would think $4k could potentially be made back in higher wages by at least the second year, given the first year is establishing yourself in the profession.

Finally, I think going back to school to further my education would be excellent for my spirit and outlook; and the motivation is there for me to better myself. The time and finances to do it is, of course, pretty limited right now, but I’m quite willing to commit myself to the process.

5

[QUOTE=Lanzy]
My son tried this. Although he loves doing the massge work, he did not like the school. Because getting the license requires passing a test that includes things like Chakras, meridians, touch therapy and the like. If you are into woo, this won’t bother you, but you must learn it to pass the accredidation. He likes the money when he works but uses it as a supplement. You can only do so many massages in a day before it wears you out.
[/QUOTE]

Good point. I could opt to keep my part-time reception job and use practice massage therapy as a supplement to my income. Right now, I have little potential to supplement barring waitressing.

Mainly, I would like to make a career out of something that feels rewarding. No offense to receptionists and other office assistants, but I don’t find it all that rewarding.

6

Oh, as to the “woo” (hehe), I don’t mind it. Years ago, I did event planning for a psychic so I’m quite familiar with all that

7

With the additional info you’ve posted, it sounds like it could work out well for you to get the training and use massage therapy to supplement another job to get a sense of how you like the marketing-yourself aspect of it, or locate one of the jobs in a full-time clinical setting. My impression is that the ones that are making good money are good at marketing themselves, and the ones in the clinical settings may have more training than a $4000, 1-year course. Also, consider the likelihood of paying your own health insurance, retirement savings, not getting paid time off/ not earning when you’re not working.

Good luck! As a side business, it sounds like you’d enjoy it. As a full-time thing, it sounds a little more iffy.

8

A few things to consider that NO-ONE will tell you in massage school:

The average lifespan of the career of a massage therapist is just under 2 years.

Running your own practice is like 95% sales and 5% massage.

If you’re not young, pretty and skinny, spas won’t hire you.

Doing 6 massages in a day is exhausting and can be actually damaging to your body, but it’s about the median you’ll be expected to do if you work for someone else. If you’re over 35 and just starting, stay away unless you’re already in shape to run a half-marathon.

You will *constantly *be fending off prostitution jokes and passes, sometimes by the same person. Sometimes that person will be your boss.

Your husband/boyfriend will constantly ask you for massages and then pout when you tell him you’ve been doing massages all day and you’re off duty.

OTOH, it is incredibly rewarding and you really do feel like you make a difference, so it has that going for it.

Me, I’m going into nursing. With neonates. Teeny tiny people that I can pick up in one hand.

WhyNot,
former massage therapist.

9

WhyNot brings up some very good points. I have not worked as a LMT, but have worked with some good ones in an Herbal practice, and have many friends who are fine practioners. As she says, there is a wearing out factor to the job.

You should prepare yourself for the fact that a Massage Therapist often recieves a great deal of “unkempt energy” in the healthcare field. Honestly, people don’t get simple touch enough in our society when ill, and an MT is the one who will feel it. So, get a good school that will educate you in a supportive foundation of healing arts, as well as the physiology and technique. You should be prepared for people in need to be able to release emotionally as well as physically, because that is what happens with our bodies during treatment. It’s a grace to be able to help people feel better. Go for it, Brown Eyed Girl, you’ll learn a lot on the way to helping others!

10

Thanks for all the words of advice. A couple of people I mentioned it to (one being my mom) said that the career is flooded with practitioners and I might have a hard time finding a job. I hope not. I have a few connections that I hope will at least net me a few clients to start with and I’m sure I’ll make more while going to school.

I’m pretty good at marketing myself, so I think that won’t be as difficult for me as it may be for some people. I can project a professional, outgoing, and positive image (I interview very well, apparently, judging by past success). I could use some business training, which are provided (to what extent who knows) by some of the schools I looked at.

The next step is looking into what type of financial aid might be available to me, so I can continue to make ends meet while in school and actually afford school. I’m feeling pretty good about this right now. Things haven’t been looking so great for our family and this is the first time in a long time I actually felt like I have a positive outlook on my future. It’s a step in the right direction, at the very least.

11

I got into massage therapy both to help other people and to make more money, and I have to say it’s working out great so far. I am 34 and not thin, but I was hired at a spa with tons of established traffic. I get paid a percentage of each massage and get tips on top of that. Today I worked 5 hours and gave 4 massages, for which I received $80 in tips alone. That is about what I used to make working an 8 hour day at my last job, and I haven’t even been paid by the spa yet. Now, I don’t always get that much, but they do keep me booked and the tips are usually good. I work from 8:30 to 1:30, so I get to drop off my daughter at school and pick her up again. I could make more money if I worked more hours, but time with my little one is more important right now.

Also, I love hearing how I made someone’s pain go away, or helped them relax when they were stressed. I love hearing about their families and what they’ve been doing on their vacations (after finishing school I moved to a tourist area near where I grew up, so at least half my clients are from out of town). I really love helping pregnant women feel better, and plan to specialize in that one day.

Maybe I am lucky and maybe I will get tired of it one day, but right now, a year out of school, I am very happy that I made this career choice. Well, aside from the fact that most of my friends and family seem to develop a “crick” when I visit. :slight_smile: I am not as into giving free massages anymore. Feels like work!

12

Go with your heart, but educate yourself about getting into any bodywork/healing practice. You have to have a strong heart to help others. That given, all good graces to you; go for the change you need now, such a good one, to want to learn to help people!

13

I’ve been a full time MT for the last five years, and despite the fact that I’ve had to go back into the computer tech biz to get my kids through college, I would really prefer to be doing MT. If it works for you, Brown Eyed Girl, it is a wonderful profession.

When I was in MT school though, I noticed that 75% of the students were kids who didn’t know what they wanted to do, and they were just sick of being waitresses. Be careful about measuring yourself against them. If it’s right for you, their experiences won’t be relevant.

The work is completely different if you’re working for a spa vs. serving your own private clients. Private clients want to be touched and trust you. In a spa they want to be touched and appreciate the anonymity. Big difference. If you are willing to do the marketing work to sell yourself to private clients, your take is triple what you make per hour at a spa, and you have a connection to your clients. It’s hard for me to imagine what it must be like in the spa environment.