Message Therapy Outlook and Salary Information

The job and salary outlook for practitioners of massage therapy is looking good. People are increasingly aware of the benefits they can gain from massage therapy. Over the next ten years or so this will be reflected in faster than average job growth. This will be particularly the case for therapists who have successfully undertaken formal training and also gained national certification.

The massage therapy employment outlook will benefit from a growing interest in alternative medicine. Massage therapy has also moved into the mainstream. Physicians and insurance companies now see massage as being an effective treatment for a number of conditions. You may find you obtain referred business not only for muscular stresses and strains, but for general stress and other medical conditions. This development should be a significant feature of your outlook in massage therapy.

Although young adults are presently the main source of massage work, we are on average living longer these days. This means that older people, who now stay active longer, will also be likely clients for massage treatment.

Massage therapy salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly rates (including gratuities) for massage therapists in May 2003 were $15.36. Gratuities make abut 15-20% of an average massage salary, but don’t expect them if you work in a clinical location. Although the lowest 10% of massage therapists made less than $7.16 per hour, the highest 10% were able to earn an hourly rate above $32.21. The middle 50% enjoyed hourly earnings of between $9.78 and $23.82.

Related Career Resources

Massage Therapy Colleges and Schools

Massage Therapy Career Information

Massage Therapy Career Traits

How to Become a Massage Therapist