After a yearlong journey, you have finally graduated from a massage therapy school in Miami, passed the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination), and received your massage therapy license from the State of Florida Massage Therapy Board...
Congratulations, you’re finally a Licensed Massage Therapist! We know it was hard work getting this far and you should be definitely be proud of yourself.
At the same time, you probably also realize that this is where the true hustle begins. You now have to find a job.
Luckily for you, the market is favorable for professional massage therapists!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 37,700 massage therapy jobs are expected to be added by 2026. Given that Florida has a nationally high-number of massage therapists, it is highly-likely that many of those massage therapy jobs will be added here.
This is great news for Licensed Massage Therapists in Miami and every else in the state! However, while this means that there will be more massage therapy jobs, not every job is suitable for every LMT. Just like with any other career, the best place to work will depend on your particular personality and interests.
Keep in mind that different environments will have different kinds of patients with their own massage needs. Additionally, you will have to ensure that your particular career route also meets your financial needs.
With that in mind, let’s look at some places where you can find employment as a massage therapist in Miami.
Spas: Miami is a popular destination for tourist wanting to unwind and relax, especially during the winter months. As such, it is unsurprising that there are over 220 spas in the Miami-Dade area! This is great news for massage therapists, given that almost every spa employs at least one massage therapist.
As such, working at a spa maybe a good career choice if you consider yourself a “people person” and have great communication skills. Since spas usually charge a premium for their services, they tend to have a picker clientele than someone who seeks a massage for medical reasons. As such, great customer service skills are needed.
A big benefit of working at a spa is that the pay is often better than in other environments. However, keep in mind that many of these positions, especially those on cruise ships, are seasonal.
Common Massage Modalities Practiced in Spas: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology
Medical Settings: While massage therapy was once limited to recreational environments and private alternative medicine practices, many Western hospitals, physical therapy clinics, doctor’s offices now employ massage therapists. This is because there is now plenty of evidence that massage therapy is an effective complimentary practice for many common health issues, such as pain relief and depression.
In this environment, you will treat people with specific medical needs. As such, working here will require a particular kind of sensitivity and empathy towards the sick and wounded. Keep in mind that many patients will be approaching the end of their lives. You will need to have a particular interest in Western medicine, especially anatomy and physiology.
Massage modalities practiced in medical settings: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Medical Massage.
Athletics: If you’re interested in athletics, then there are a variety of environments in which you can work, including gyms and specific athletic organizations, such as professional sports teams.
Because these jobs aren’t as common as others listed, specialization will be required to standout from other applicants to the same job.
Working for an athletic organization will require a specialized knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology. Getting certified in other relevant practice, such as elastic therapeutic taping, is also good idea.
Massage Modalities practiced in Athletics: Fascial Stretching, Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, and Sports Massage.
Massage Franchises: While massage therapy is more commonly associated with fancy spas than established businesses, massage franchises offer many great career opportunities that are hard to find in a niche medical field.
For starters, franchises are a good option for career stability, since they treat patients year round, while spas and tourist based environments are often seasonal.
Additionally, since they usually charge less than an exclusive spa, you will get to treat a variety of patients. This is a good career choice if you’re generally extroverted and can handle a range of personalities.
Franchises also offer many of the benefits that traditional businesses offer, such as health insurance, retirement plans, etc. Because franchises are nationwide, you also have many opportunities to network or to transfer locations, in case you decide to move.
Massage modalities practiced at Massage Franchises: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Chair Massage.
Self-Employment: Many people become massage therapists to work for themselves. This is a great career choice if you have a knack for managing various aspects of a business, such as marketing and accounting, which you will be completely responsible for.
This will also require a strong sense of independence, since you will be virtually on your own (or at least, responsible for hiring the right people to help you). Some self-employed massage therapists work as “freelancers” and treat clients on an independent basis, while some massage therapists decide to open retail space and treat the general public from an established location.
Going into business for yourself is hard work, but if you can succeed at it, you can work at your own schedule and set your own price.
Massage modalities practiced by self-employed therapists: Varies based on market and niche, but usually includes Swedish massage.
Alternative Medical Practices: If you have a particular interest in natural medicine, then perhaps working at an alternative medical practice is a good career choice.This environment will require that you have a true passion for holistic healing.
This can include working for an acupuncture physician, chiropractic practitioner, pain clinic, or a naturopathic doctor. Working in this kind of environment will require an understanding of alternative medical models, such as the Traditional Chinese Model of the Body.
Modalities practiced in Alternative Medical Settings: Reflexology, Shiatsu, and Tuina.
If working in one these environments sounds appealing to you, then you should consider becoming a massage therapist! Get started by downloading your free massage therapy career guide below!
If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to us at (305)595-9500 or email us at admissions@amcollege.edu. Acupuncture and Massage College is located at 10506 North Kendall Drive, Miami, Florida 33176.