How much massage therapists earn

View Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses.

Massage therapy is a billion-dollar business. Many factors can affect how much a massage therapist can earn. It is possible to make a good living from such work, while for many people massage therapy makes for a useful second income.

Income will vary depending on whether you work full-time or part-time, whether you are based in a city or the country and where you choose to work – in a luxury spa or pro bono in a local hospice. Usually if you work in an urban area you can expect to earn more money than if you work in a rural area.

The majority of people working as massage therapists are self-employed. Usually those who are self-employed earn more than those who have an employer. Remember though that if you are self-employed then you will have to cover the costs of outgoings such as premises, equipment, insurance, travel, taxes, laundry, rent, and advertising and promotion. If you are employed, in a spa for example, you can expect to receive tips on top of your payment.

Because massage therapy is physically and mentally demanding, many therapists do not work full-time. This will affect how much you can earn. For some people they are able to combine massage therapy with a second career such as working in an office. The two combined can give a good salary as well as offering variety in the workplace. Some people do make a full-time living from massage therapy and it is possible to work up to 35 hours a week giving massages to clients.

Earnings may also be affected by the need to buy equipment when you are first starting out, for example you may need to buy a massage couch, towels and linens, and possibly oils and accompaniments such as music DVDs. When you are just beginning you will probably also need to charge a lower hourly rate than you will be able to do once you are established and have a set of regular clients.

Hourly rates vary and could be anything between $7.69 and $34 per hour with averages around $15-20 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While it is important to have good business sense when setting up as a massage therapist, it is also important to remember that a career in this field brings other rewards such as job satisfaction and fulfillment from helping clients.

Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses

CDI College

Advanced Massage Therapy program

Students in the Advanced Massage Therapy program will be prepared to sit for the Registration Examinations of the Massage Therapy Association. The primary goal of this program is to promote, through various educational opportunities, the basic knowledge, skills, ethics and behaviors that are necessary in order for the graduate to successfully practice massage therapy in a variety of health care settings.

Massage Therapy Program

The program in Massage Therapy is designed to provide students with the education and skills required to enable them to sit for the Registration Examinations of the Massage Therapy Association. The primary goal of our program is to enable the graduate to successfully apply basic knowledge, skills, ethics, and behaviors that will allow the student to practice massage therapy in various health care settings.

Diploma.
Advanced Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy.
Alberta, Ontario.

American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty

Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
Florida.

Hands-On Medical Massage School

Certificate, Associate.
Professional Massage Therapy, Medical Massage Therapy.
California.

Berdan Institute

The objectives of the massage therapy program –which consists of 750 hours of classroom, lab and clinical instruction- are to equip students with the necessary entry-level technical, business and professional skills for competency, confidence and achievement in the fields of massage therapy and body work.

Certificate.
Massage Therapy.
New Jersey.

Carrington College California

Certificate, Associate.
Massage Therapy.
California.