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A massage therapist uses various techniques to manipulate muscles, tendons, and soft tissues in the body to promote relaxation and alleviate pain. They work in spas, clinics, and private practices. Massage therapists assess clients' needs and tailor treatments to address issues. They may also offer guidance on stretching and exercise to help clients maintain their health. Communication skills are important for a massage therapist as they build rapport with clients while respecting privacy and boundaries.
Avg. Salary $53,935
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 20%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.25%
Asian 11.00%
Black or African American 6.06%
Hispanic or Latino 17.00%
Unknown 5.18%
White 60.50%
Genderfemale 76.40%
male 23.60%
Age - 40American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 40Stress level is moderate
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is excellent
6.4 - fair
Pros
Potential for high earning potential with the right clientele and business plan
Opportunities for continuing education and professional growth
Satisfaction from helping clients feel better and relaxed
Ability to specialize in particular styles or techniques
Growing demand for massage therapy due to increased awareness of its benefits
Cons
High cost of education and certification requirements
Limited insurance coverage for massage therapy, making it less accessible to some clients
Difficulty finding affordable space to rent or buy for private practice
Need to market oneself effectively to attract and retain clients
High level of competition in the industry.
| Skills | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 24.45% |
| Cleanliness | 14.08% |
| Strong Customer Service | 12.54% |
| Work Ethic | 7.08% |
| Wellness Benefits | 5.75% |
| State | Education | Exam | License url |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | - | - | Licensed Massage Therapist |
| Alaska | Specific course required | Third-party exam required | Massage Therapist |
| Arkansas | Specific course required | Both state and third-party exams required | Massage Therapist |
| Colorado | Specific course required | Third-party exam required | Massage Therapists |
| Connecticut | Specific course required | Third-party exam required | Massage Therapist |
Massage therapist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific massage therapist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for massage therapists include Massage Therapy Certification (MT) and National Certification for Therapeutic Massage (NCTM).
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your massage therapist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a massage therapist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Now it's time to start searching for a massage therapist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
Natashia Zanza
Massage Therapist
The average massage therapist salary in the United States is $53,935 per year or $26 per hour. Massage therapist salaries range between $31,000 and $92,000 per year.
What am I worth?
The satisfaction of knowing i help people to live a better quality of life through my craft.
I dont like working with team members who dont know anything about what a Massage Therapists job entails
I love helping people who have issues with having pain. And getting great results! I love to relax them and get them back to balance with a quality of life.
Being underpaid.
I love the clientele. From the young to the older, there is just a different type of job satisfaction that comes with working this position.
I haven't found that yet