Massage Therapist Salary

The soothing art of massage is a skill that is welcome in almost any city that has a population filled with people who experience constant stress and strain. When someone's back goes out or there is a muscle injury of some sort, it's often a massage therapist who is called upon to work their magic on that person to relieve them of pain and discomfort. In addition to the medical side, there is the rejuvenation aspect of giving massages. Many spas around the country employ licensed massage therapists to offer their clients a service that provides relaxing comfort.

If you are looking into becoming a massage therapist as a profession, you are most likely a person who wishes to have a skill that truly helps others in a good way. Lots of people walk around with aches and pains related to the stress of everyday life. It would be a nice feeling to be able to help as many of them as possible, but first, you've got to get the proper training. Before you take steps towards choosing this as a career, you need to be aware of what the average massage therapist salary range is so that you can make a determination about your options to make a decent living.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), in 2008 the average earnings of a massage therapist working 15 hours a week was $31, 500. The average hourly rate was $41.50. While these numbers sound pretty decent, you need to take them with a grain of salt. The number or hours you work and the amount you make will largely depend on where you live and whether you are employed by a hospital, clinic or spa and if you are an hourly employee or self-employed. Naturally a massage therapist salary will be higher (hourly) if you are self-employed, but can you keep a steady stream of clients?

Massage Therapist Salary - Just Starting Out?

When you are still in training, you will most likely be gaining experience by working in the school's clinic area for free, or for just tips. While you are learning this is a great way to develop your massage technique skills and learn how to interact with your clients. Once you are out of school, however, your options of earning a decent income depends a lot on the area you decide to live and if there is enough of a need for your services. In smaller towns and cities, you may be facing some stiff competition with others who have already built up a loyal clientele and good reputation. Experienced massage therapists who run their own business will be able to receive from $50 - $100 an hour for their time and expertise.

Massage Therapist Salary - On Your Own

If you are striking out on your own as an independent contractor, you can also charge these rates, but keep in mind that it will take you a while to build up your client base. This means, you'll need to get out there and market yourself aggressively to be able to make the kind of money you need to pay your bills.

Another option is to look for a job in a hospital or spa setting. Some places will offer you a base salary of about $10 - $16 an hour plus tips. However, many of these jobs are part-time and when you don't have clients, you may be required to perform other tasks that have nothing to do with massage. However, taking one of these lower paying jobs may be a smart way to build up your skills and client base before setting up your own business.