Massage Therapy Salary Data Among the many benefits of a massage therapy career are flexible hours, growing employment opportunities, and the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping people. You'll also have the benefit of a competitive massage therapy salary, which compares favorably with those in other health care fields. According to a consumer survey by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), a massage therapist working 15 hours per week in 2008 earned an average of $31,500. In comparison, full-time health care support workers and medical assistants earned an average of $28,170 and $27,190, respectively, in 2006. A massage therapy salary will allow you to work around family obligations or explore your interests in another job field. In fact, many massage therapists—about 58 percent—earn part of their income from a second profession. There are many factors that influence your massage therapy salary. The number of hours you work is one piece of the puzzle. Other factors include geographic location, type of employer, and your level of education and experience—just to name a few. Although the amount you'll earn depends on your specific situation, AMTA reports that the 2008 average hourly wage for massage therapists was $41.50 (including tip). Human resources data from March 2009* shows that the middle 50 percent of massage therapists earn between $37,502 and $56,788 per year. The top 10 percent earn $66,323 or higher.  Variables for Your Massage Therapy Salary A reasonable billing range for massage therapy services is between $25 to $100 per hour. The AMTA reports that $63 per hour is the average. In addition to the hourly rate, a massage therapist can also receive supplemental income from tips, which is difficult to estimate but can be a significant portion of overall earnings. If you're thinking about establishing your own practice, remember to consider the costs associated with owning a massage therapy business. Some costs may include the following: - Advertising/marketing
- Aromatherapy supplies
- Association dues and fees
- Health insurance
- Laundry
- Liability insurance
- Massage chair
- Massage oils
- Massage table
- Space rental
Massage Therapy Facts Gathering data about massage therapy salaries is smart if you're thinking about starting your massage therapy education; however, it's also important to find out about the general health of the industry. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects 20 percent employment growth in the industry between 2006 and 2016, which is faster than the average for all occupations. If you're considering a massage therapy career, you may also be interested in the following findings of a recent AMTA survey: - Between 2004 and 2006, the number of hospitals offering massage therapy increased by 30 percent.
- About 25 percent of American adults say they've used massage therapy for pain relief at least once.
- Many massage therapists work in more than one environment; however, 92 percent identified themselves as sole practitioners or independent contractors.
Starting a Massage Therapy Career Because of the growing popularity of massage, this is a great time to consider massage therapy career. If you're ready to take the first step, find a massage therapy school near you, and request more information. * Salary.com  |
