Important Qualities for Massage Therapists
Communication skills. Massage therapists need to listen carefully to clients in order to understand what they want to achieve through massage sessions.
Decision-making skills. Massage therapists must evaluate each client's needs and recommend the best treatment on the basis of that person's needs.
Empathy. Massage therapists must give clients a positive experience, which requires building trust between therapist and client. Making clients feel comfortable is necessary for therapists to expand their client base.
Integrity. Massage therapists often have access to client information such as medical histories. Therefore, they must be trustworthy and protect the privacy of their clients.
Physical stamina. Massage therapists may give several treatments during a workday and have to stay on their feet throughout massage appointments.
Physical strength and dexterity. Massage therapists must be strong and able to exert pressure through a variety of movements of the arms and hands when manipulating a client's muscles.
Time-management skills. Massage therapists must tailor an appointment to a client's specific needs. They must use their appointment time wisely to help each client accomplish his or her goals.
Massage Therapist Success Mindset by 
A U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored web site that offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses, and workforce professionals.
Neuromuscular Massage Therapy as a Career
Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. With their touch, therapists relieve pain, help heal injuries, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and aid in the general wellness of clients.
Duties of NMT’S
Massage therapists typically do the following:
Work Environment for Massage Therapists
Massage therapists hold about 160,300 jobs. The largest employers of massage therapists are as follows:
|
Self-employed workers |
39% |
|
Personal care services |
29% |
|
Offices of all other health practitioners |
12% |
|
Offices of chiropractors |
7% |
|
Accommodation |
6% |
Some massage therapists travel to clients' homes or offices to give a massage. Others work out of their own homes. Many massage therapists, especially those who are self-employed, provide their own table or chair, sheets, pillows, and body lotions or oils.
A massage therapist's working conditions depend heavily on the venue in which the massage is performed and on what the client wants. For example, when giving a massage to help clients relax, massage therapists generally work in dimly lit settings and use candles, incense, and calm, soothing music. In contrast, a massage meant to help rehabilitate a client with an injury may be conducted in a well-lit setting with several other people receiving treatment in the same room.
Injuries and Illnesses for NMT’S
Because giving a massage is physically demanding, massage therapists can injure themselves if they do not use the proper techniques. Repetitive-motion problems and fatigue from standing for extended periods are most common.
Therapists can limit these risks by using good body mechanics, spacing sessions properly, exercising, and, in many cases, receiving a massage themselves regularly.
NMT’S Work Schedules
About half of all massage therapists work part time. Because therapists work by appointment in most cases, their schedules and the number of hours worked each week vary considerably. Moreover, because of the strength and endurance needed to give a massage, many therapists cannot perform massage services 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.
In addition to giving massages, therapists, especially those who are self-employed, may spend time recording clients' notes, marketing, booking clients, washing linens, and conducting other general business tasks.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Massage Therapists
In 2016, 45 states and the District of Columbia regulated massage therapy. Although not all states license massage therapy, they may have regulations at the local level.
In states with massage therapy regulations, workers must get a license or certification before practicing massage therapy. State regulations typically require graduation from an approved massage therapy program and passing an exam. The exam may be a state-specific exam or the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) licensure exam, offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. Massage therapists also may need to pass a background check, have liability insurance, and be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Many states require massage therapists to complete continuing education credits and to renew their license periodically. Those wishing to practice massage therapy should look into legal requirements for the state and locality in which they intend to practice.
Massage Therapist Salaries
The median annual wage for massage therapists is $39,860. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,870. The median annual wages for massage therapists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
|
Offices of chiropractors/physical therapist |
$50,730 |
|
Offices of all other health practitioners |
$43,550 |
|
Personal care services |
$38,140 |
|
Accommodation |
$27,940 |
Most massage therapists earn a combination of wages and tips and may receive free or discounted massages as a benefit.
About half of all massage therapists work part time. Because therapists work by appointment in most cases, their schedules and the number of hours worked each week vary considerably. In addition to giving massages, therapists, especially those who are self-employed, may spend time recording clients' notes, marketing, booking clients, washing linens, and conducting other general business tasks.
Job Outlook for Massage Therapists
Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 24 percent over the next ten years, much faster than the average for all occupations. Continued growth in the demand for massage services will lead to new openings for massage therapists.
Job Prospects for Massage Therapists
In states that regulate massage therapy, opportunities should be available to those who complete formal programs and pass a professionally recognized exam. However, new massage therapists should expect that it can take time to build a client base.
Because referrals are an important source of work for massage therapists, marketing and networking may help increase the number of job opportunities. Joining a professional association also can help build strong contacts and further increase the likelihood of steady work. In addition, massage therapists may be able to attract a wider variety of clients by completing education programs in multiple modalities.
|
Employment projections data for Massage Therapists, 2016-26 |
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|
Occupational Title |
Employment, 2016 |
Projected Employment, 2026 |
Change, 2016-26 |
|
|
|
Percent |
Numeric |
|
|||
|
Massage therapists |
160,300 |
198,100 |
24% |
37,700 |
|