| One of the first things people ask when thinking | | | | school does not have enough hours to teach you |
| about going into the massage profession is what | | | | how to be a successful massage therapist. |
| is the starting salary for massage therapists and | | | | When starting and building your own massage |
| what is their earning potential? | | | | practice you also have to understand that what |
| Many sites and massage schools use reports | | | | you can make may sound better than it really is. |
| from siting salaries of $45,000 or more. While | | | | The average charge for a massage is $60 and |
| there isn't any way to really tell if that is accurate | | | | the rates can actually vary depending on location |
| or not it is significantly lower than what the | | | | anywhere from $45 an hour to $100 an hour or |
| Associated Bodywork and Massage Professional | | | | even more if you are doing injury work and billing |
| (massagetherapy.com) survey indicates which is: | | | | insurance companies for massage. ( Most states |
| Average massage-related income for massage | | | | you can bill insurance companies for motor vehicle |
| therapists in 2005 was $18,950, with a median | | | | related injuries when prescribed by a doctor.) The |
| income of $14,500 (2005 ABMP Member Survey). | | | | thing is that what you charge is not really what |
| First-year practice average income was $9,589, | | | | you actually make. You have to account for |
| reflecting the challenges of establishing a | | | | expenses like office rent, adverting, website |
| professional-service practice (2005 ABMP Member | | | | design, marketing, and any other overhead or |
| Survey). | | | | expenses that are related to doing business. |
| Massage therapists can find jobs in spas, clinics | | | | So while the statistics really make the outlook for |
| and in franchises like Massage Envy. The hourly | | | | the profession look bleak- there is another way. It |
| wage at Massage Envy has been reported to be | | | | is possible to make $100,000 a year as a |
| $15 an hour. To make $45,000 a year you would | | | | massage therapist if you are willing to charge |
| have to work 60 hours a week at a place like | | | | more for your services and also take risks like |
| that. | | | | hiring other massage therapists. There are many |
| Most massage therapists work part time in the | | | | successful clinics and day spas out there where |
| profession and hold other jobs or have other | | | | you as an owner could make what you really |
| sources of income. | | | | dream about. |
| While there are jobs that pay $45 an hour or | | | | And yes the demand for massage therapists is |
| more, they are few and far between. They also | | | | growing making it a 11-18 billion dollar a year |
| usually require more experience as a massage | | | | industry. To become a part of that and make a |
| therapist. | | | | great living as a massage therapist requires that |
| While there are more massage jobs out there | | | | you be committed, compassionate and business |
| today, you are usually able to make more when | | | | minded. It really has little to do with having good |
| you start and run your own massage business. | | | | hands as many may try to tell you. It is more |
| This requires that you have some knowledge of | | | | about you and your beliefs about who you are |
| basic business and marketing skills as well as | | | | that can lead you to being a successful massage |
| outstanding customer service skills. Massage | | | | therapist. |