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Massage therapist vs registered massage therapist

The differences between massage therapists and registered massage therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a massage therapist has an average salary of $53,935, which is higher than the $49,361 average annual salary of a registered massage therapist.

The top three skills for a massage therapist include customer service, cleanliness and strong customer service. The most important skills for a registered massage therapist are spa treatments, therapeutic massage, and front desk.

Massage therapist vs registered massage therapist overview

Massage TherapistRegistered Massage Therapist
Yearly salary$53,935$49,361
Hourly rate$25.93$23.73
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs34,26231,389
Job satisfaction4.6-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 26%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

Massage therapist vs registered massage therapist salary

Massage therapists and registered massage therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Massage TherapistRegistered Massage Therapist
Average salary$53,935$49,361
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $92,000Between $27,000 And $87,000
Highest paying CityArlington, MA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyHuntington Hospital-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between massage therapist and registered massage therapist education

There are a few differences between a massage therapist and a registered massage therapist in terms of educational background:

Massage TherapistRegistered Massage Therapist
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 26%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorSomatic BodyworkNursing
Most common college--

Massage therapist vs registered massage therapist demographics

Here are the differences between massage therapists' and registered massage therapists' demographics:

Massage TherapistRegistered Massage Therapist
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 23.6% Female, 76.4%Male, 21.0% Female, 79.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 11.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 11.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between massage therapist and registered massage therapist duties and responsibilities

Massage therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage employees and office, administer payroll.
  • Manage confidential client health information in accordance with the HIPPA act.
  • Perform massage therapy and Reiki on palliative care patients
  • Work in a professional center performing massage therapy, energy therapies, hot stone therapy, and reiki.
  • Provide therapeutic massage, reflexology and relate services to enhance customer health and wellness
  • Provide massage therapy in various therapeutic settings including several chiropractic offices, in-home appointment (s) and at charity/sponsore events.
  • Show more

Registered massage therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage confidential client health information in accordance with the HIPPA act.
  • Maintain professionalism and cleanliness of assign therapy room and maintain the confidentiality and sensitivity to relate issues during all client interactions.
  • Foot Reflexology demonstrating acupressure on specific areas of the feet for relief and relaxation.

Massage therapist vs registered massage therapist skills

Common massage therapist skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Strong Customer Service, 13%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • Wellness Benefits, 6%
  • Massage Therapy, 5%
Common registered massage therapist skills
  • Spa Treatments, 36%
  • Therapeutic Massage, 19%
  • Front Desk, 14%
  • Soft Tissue, 11%
  • Massage Techniques, 11%
  • Swedish Massage, 10%

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