Opportunities for Massage Therapist
A massage therapist is a specialized health field worker who helps his or her clients relieve various physical problems through soft tissue massage and manipulation. There are many different types of massage, from prenatal, for pregnant women and sports, for athletes, to neuromuscular, Swedish, Thai, and Shiatsu massages. Each different type, or “modality” of therapy provides a different benefit for the client, and requires specialized training for the therapist.
Massage Therapy School
Anyone wishing to pursue a career in massage therapy must first attend a program or school. The schools prepare clients for a career in massage therapy by teaching basic human anatomy, kinesiology, and physiology, as well as business practices to help the new therapist manage his or her business, and biomechanics to help therapists maintain their own physical health as they practice the sometimes physically taxing job of massage therapy. Programs generally lasts 1 – 2 years and cost around $6,500 (before textbooks and other supplies).
Schools prepare the future therapist for his or her licensing exam. States require massage therapists to be licensed in order to practice. Instead of certifying in a given state, some therapists opt to take the national licensing exam, known as the NCETMB, or National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. This certificate allows the graduate to practice in the majority of states.
After receiving their initial education, massage therapists are not done. Most licenses require that the license be maintained by receiving ongoing education through acquiring continuing education credits (CECs).
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Looking for a Job as a New Massage Therapists
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 64% of therapists are self-employed. This self-employment can mean a variety of things. First, some therapists work only part-time as a second job. These might work privately in clients' homes, or have office hours one or two days per week in a chiropractor or doctor's office.
Other's have their own offices and run a thriving business. The greatest opportunity for income as a massage therapist is in this type of work.
Some professionals work as independent contractors for high-end spas, yoga studios, or hotel resorts. These practitioners share a portion of the fee with the business that hosts them.
Unfortunately, because they are self-employed, most massage therapists do not enjoy health insurance and dental insurance benefits provided by an employer. If a massage therapist wants health insurance benefits, he or she must purchase it privately, which can be quite costly.
Those who are not self employed, or about 36% of the field, work in staff positions in a variety of settings, from physical and occupational therapy offices to spas who hire, rather than contract with, therapists. Working as an employee rather than a contractor is more likely to lead to health insurance benefits, but the earnings potential is generally not quite as high.
Job Outlook for Massage Therapists
The future is very bright in the field of massage therapy. Like other professions in the health field, this profession is rapidly expanding. Probably due to the recent increase in alternative medicine and holistic and natural medicine, the profession is expected to grow by 20% in the decade between 2006 and 2016. Currently, there are approximately 120,000 therapists in America; by 2016 this number is projected to grow to 140,000. This is a faster than average growth within this field.
Regarding earnings, an average salary for a giving 15 hours worth of massage per week is about $30,000, including tips, which can account for a large portion of earned income, especially if he or she works as a contractor at a spa. Most are paid by the hour rather than a set yearly salary, and the average hourly rate ranges between $11 to $25 per hour.
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Massage Therapy Trainer Certification Courses, Schools and Exams - Massage Therapy Colleges - Programs - Classes
Massage Therapist Training Acadamy - Education
NCBTMB Certification
Massage Therapy - Massage Therapy Schools & Training
An Overview of Massage Therapy - Massage Therapy & Prostitution
High Paying Therapist Jobs - Online EDU For Massage Therapist
Licensure and Examination - Continuing Education
Background Checks & Criminal History