What Is a Massage Therapy Salary?

Massage therapy offers numerous benefits as a career, from the short education program required to enter the industry to the flexible scheduling to the growing opportunities in holistic health. In addition to a great quality of life, massage also offers financial independence and security. But what will you actually make on a massage therapy salary?

The numbers

Massage therapists earn a combination of hourly wages and customer tips. According to the latest figures from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median massage therapy salary is $38,040 per year, or $18.29 per hour. That's more than the median salary for those in other jobs the BLS calls "health care support professions," which earn $32,210 annually.

Massage therapy is a great option for those who wish to work part-time since scheduling is flexible. The highest 10 percent of massage therapists earned nearly $75,000.

Other factors that affect salary

As with any profession, where you live affects how much you make. Other factors that will influence your earning potential: How long you've been in the field and the type of environment in which you choose work. Also, having a specialization or being able to offer additional holistic services to your clients can help increase your earning potential. Consider pursuing a massage training program that comes with a specialty certificate.

Many massage therapists work in solo practices — in fact, those account for 58 percent of practitioners, according to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). If you've gone from working in in a spa or wellness center to starting out on your own, your income may also dip as you build your client base.

Anywhere you work, though, you'll likely have to work to establish a loyal, regular client base to maintain the level of income you desire. Your degree of motivation and entrepreneurship can affect how well you do in the field.

Fortunately, the field of massage is expected to continue to grow from 2014 through 2024 by 22 percent, which is much faster than average growth in other fields. Forty-nine percent of practicing therapists also earn income from another source, according to the AMTA.

Are you intrigued by the idea of earning a massage therapy salary but don't know where to start? The Acupuncture and Massage School offers massage therapy degrees with a Shiatsu specialization that can be completed in less than nine months. Contact the admissions office at (305) 595-9500 to learn more about how to enroll.