Massage Therapy Jobs

Step 3 of our Massage Career Guide is all about converting your massage certification into a one of the many massage therapy jobs. Everything you need to know including:

Step 3 Index
Massage Therapy Jobs
Cruise Line Jobs
Employment Types
Sample Massage Resume
Massage Job Interviews
Buying Massage Insurance
Massage Insurance Deals

• Types of Employment
• Resume Samples
• Interview Tips
• Handling the Massage Iinterview
• Creating your Best Massage Job

Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing areas in America. As of 2005, the number of massage therapists had jumped to over 100,000. This is a substantial increase from the 24,000 that worked in America six years before. This new interest in massage and the spreading awareness of its effectiveness as a healing technique has opened up many new massage therapy jobs.

Once you have graduated from a massage therapy program, the next challenge is to find employment that suits your personality. The recent growth in the massage industry means that there's now more spa, cruise ship, and health club jobs than ever before. These kinds of massage therapy jobs ensure you a steady supply of clients and fairly regular working hours. You may be working directly for the spa, as with a traditional job, or be on commission.

Another option that many massage therapists pursue is opening their own practice. This can be as complicated as starting your own mini-spa, or as simple as advertising massages in your home, or even at your clients' homes. These options allow you the most freedom in your work, but they also put the responsibility for getting clients and managing the finances of a small business directly on you.

You should start investigating the opportunities in your area while you are still completing your massage therapy training. Familiarize yourself with the way local massage therapists work, and get to know them if you can in order to build a network of therapists that may be able to mentor you or help your new career get started. Because massage therapy is still a relatively new field, finding work in it can be different than working in more traditional areas.

Massage jobs will vary greatly in the particular fees and hours they require. Hourly rates vary between $15 and $150 an hour, depending on the level of experience of the massage therapist, the location, and the therapist's overhead and workload. Massage therapy jobs through a spa will have more restrictions and guidelines than working as a subcontractor or on your own.

When you investigate massage jobs, ask a number of questions. You'll need to know what the company you're applying with is charging the client, versus what they pay you. Also ask how much time you'll be given between clients and how much time you receive for breaks. Find out if you have any other duties. It's easy to let yourself get overworked in a massage job, because it's often the thing you enjoy doing most. You should also find out if you'll be paid on an hourly basis, salaried, or by client. Will you be paid even if the client misses an appointment? Be up front with your employer when you're applying for a massage therapy job. Don't hesitate to ask questions and find out just what their intentions are. Being frank with your prospective employer reduces the potential for misunderstandings later.

If you know that a massage therapy job is the kind of work for you, it can be an amazingly rewarding career. Massage therapy jobs offer you the chance to work with and help people on a daily basis, as well as the opportunity to control your own hours and fees, and to work for yourself if you so desire.

So Let's Get You that Job!

What was your Best Massage Therapy Job?

Tell us about your best massage job (spa, cruise ship, independent practice, chiropractor's office, etc.). What made the job so great? Would you recommend it to others?

See what other massage therapists are saying about their best massage jobs.

Helping my Daughter with Massage 
I am not yet a massage therapist, I have been toying with the idea for years. I own and operate a restaurant, it supports us, but is not providing me ...

Independent Massage Practice  Not rated yet
In my experience, my independent massage practice has been the most profitable and rewarding way to work as a massage therapist. I have my office in my ...

My First Job Was My Most Memorable  Not rated yet
My very first job as a massage therapist was my most memorable and probably my best since I was fresh out of school and so excited about the chance to ...

Weekend Massage Practice  Not rated yet
After a long hard work week, I often found myself setting up private massage appointments on the weekends. Not only could I set up my own schedule and ...

Surprise tip of a lifetime!  Not rated yet
My best massage experience was when a little middle aged lady came in and told me about the aches and pains she had been having in her arms for years. Apparently ...

Albuquerque, N.M. Wellness Spa! The BEST!  Not rated yet
By far, my best massage job was working at a southern style spa in Albuquerque, NM. The place was a world of its own, the treatments were incredible, lots ...

Working With The Elderly  Not rated yet
The best job I ever had was visiting an old peoples home twice a week and giving relaxing massages to all the residents. The experience of seeing people ...

One Great Afternoon  Not rated yet
I was gainfully employed at a local day spa, when we received a call from a business in a nearby industrial park. They were planning a "health fair" at ...

Independent Home Massage Business  Not rated yet
My favorite type of practice that I have tried is an independent home practice. This is how I got started in the field and I nostalgically remember the ...

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