How To Become A Massage Therapist or Masseuse

Explore helpful tips and insights on how to become a massage therapist and begin a rewarding and fulfilling career in massage therapy.

Now is an exciting time in the field of massage therapy, which is expanding like never before. The public’s use of massage as a healthcare modality has tripled in the last decade, which in turn has caused a tremendous increase in the demand for therapists.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the massage therapist field will continue to grow another 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, as the physical and psychological benefits of massage are recognized. There are special schools and courses designed to show you how to become a massage therapist and make anywhere from $16 to $70 an hour.

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“Becoming a massage therapist has completely changed my life and led me to opportunities I never thought possible. I look forward to every day, eager to do my work.” – Sharon Alfonso, LMT, All’s Well Massage Therapy

Cool Facts About Being A Massage Therapist

• There is much room for specialization! Once you learn how to become a massage therapist in general, you may decide to specialize in shiatsu, Swedish, deep tissue, sport, seaweed, or hot stone massage techniques to name a few.

• You get to work in a relaxing atmosphere! Forget factory jobs where it’s loud, smelly and fast-paced. Your work environment will include mood lighting, calming music, aromatherapy, and slow movements. What more could you ask for?

• Schedules are flexible. Some massage therapists are considered self-employed and start their own spas or lend their services to several different spas as a freelancer. Others may work for one particular spa but have the freedom to choose morning, afternoon, evening, weekday or weekend shifts. Some massage therapists even work aboard cruise ships!

• You will put your people skills to good use. Many people choose to become a masseuse because they find it personally rewarding to work with people. They love talking one-on-one with someone, solving a problem for the client, and seeing familiar faces come back again.

• Free massages are a pretty good perk! Coworkers often give each other free massages to share techniques and learn more about different styles. While you’re learning how to become a massage therapist, you will undoubtedly score many free massages as you assimilate new knowledge.

Steps To Become A Massage Therapist

As a massage therapist, you can help others overcome chronic pain, recover from injuries and illness, reduce stress, and just plain help them feel better. If a career in massage therapy is something you would like to get into, the following are 8 steps you can take towards your dream career as a massage therapist, based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Massage Therapist.

1. Is a Career in Massage Therapy for You?

Before deciding on a career as a massage therapist, you should first ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I like working with people?
• Do I enjoy caring for and helping others?
• Can I work quietly, without much conversation, for much of the day?
• Can I empathize with someone, without taking on their “stuff”?
• Can I work independently, without much supervision?
• Do I have strong communication skills?

If your answer was yes to the above questions, a career in massage therapy may well be for you.

2. Discover the World of Massage Therapy

As a massage therapist, you will be trained in the fundamentals. Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Trigger Point Therapy are usually taught by most massage therapy programs. However, there are many other forms of bodywork out there, ranging from Myofascial Release to Reiki (a form of energy work.) Not only are there many different modalities of massage to choose from, there are many areas of specialization as well, including Pregnancy Massage, Medical Massage, and even Animal Massage.

Do some investigating to find out what types of massage might appeal to you as a practitioner. Contact local therapists or schools and ask questions about the different types of massage, or do a search online using the terms “massage therapy”, “bodywork”, or “therapeutic massage” to find out more.

3. Know the Requirements for Practice in Your Area

Before choosing a training program, one of the first things you should investigate are the requirements for becoming a massage therapist in the area you wish to practice in. Each state and/or city or town has different requirements for massage therapists.

If you live in Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Vermont, or Wyoming, you do not need a license to practice massage therapy, as of 2009. The other 42 states require you to complete a formal education program and pass an exam.

Typically, this requires about 500 hours of study following receipt of your high school diploma or GED equivalent. This could take a few months or a few years, depending how the program is structured. You’ll learn about anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, business management, and hands-on techniques.

Once you complete your basic education, you will need to pass a test (which includes a written portion and a videotaped practical portion) to get your license. The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination are the two nationally accredited licensing boards. Please note that you will need to pay a fee to take the exam and commit to continued education over the years to maintain your credentials.

If you are still unsure where to gain information about practice requirements, contact the school/training program you are considering, or contact a local massage therapist. Either should be able to point you in the right direction.

4. Training for Your Career as a Massage Therapist

There are many different types of schools and training programs available to someone who wants to become a massage therapist. To find a program that suits your needs, check your local yellow pages under “Schools” or “Massage Therapy”. You could also do a search online using the phrase “massage therapy schools”  or “massage therapy training”, or contact some local massage therapists to find out what schools/programs they attended.

Once you have found some training programs and/or schools, make sure to check out several. Each school or training program will more than likely have a different curriculum and philosophy, and you will want to choose one that will match your needs and personality. Especially important is that the school or training program meet the educational requirements for practicing in your area.

5. Volunteer Your Services

Once you have begun your training to become a massage therapist a great way to get more “hands on” experience is to volunteer your services to others. You can volunteer to work on friends and family, or offer your services to community organizations in your area. This is also a great way  to start building a clientele even before your training is finished.

6. Finding a Job

Once you’ve finished your training, it’s time to start working as a massage therapist! If you’ve decided owning your own business is not for you, you need to find a job. One way to find employment as a massage therapist is to check with the school or training program you attended. More than likely, they will have a list of employers who need to hire massage therapists. Otherwise, you can check your local paper, check online employment sites, or even create your own job. Numerous types of employers need massage therapists including medical clinics, health clubs, spas, and corporations.

7. Start Your Own Business

If you’ve dreamt of being your own boss, a career in massage therapy can be the perfect way to go. However, keep in mind that being your own boss means just that – you decide on everything from how many hours you work, how many clients you see, and how to set up your office. But you also have to make decisions on whether to incorporate your business or not, whether to do your own taxes or hire an accountant, and what fees to charge. The Small Business Administration has many resources for new business owners, and the best part is, they’re all free!

8. Get and Keep Clients

If you have already been volunteering your services, chances are you already have some clients. Once you have a few clients, you should be generating some word-of-mouth advertising, which means your clients will be telling others about you.

If you are still in need of more clients, you could establish an alliance with other healthcare professionals in your area. This would entail contacting someone (say, a chiropractor or physician) by mail and inquiring whether they would be interested in establishing an alliance where you would refer clients to one another.

To keep the clients you already have, make sure your practice is client-centered. Your clients are doing you a favor by utilizing your services. Make sure you return that favor by giving the best service you possibly can!

Growing as a Professional

As a massage therapist, your success will also center on your growth as a healthcare practitioner. Taking classes in new techniques, reading books about different types of bodywork, and getting massage from other practitioners can all aid you in your professional, as well as personal, growth.

Guide to Becoming A Massage Therapist

Massage therapy is a rewarding and challenging field. Not only do you help others, massage therapy is a career that will enhance your own life over and over. Now, that’s a fab job!

If you are interested to succeed in this exciting career and would like to find out more about how you can become a licensed massage therapist, check out the FabJob Guide to Become a Massage Therapist. It will help answer a lot of questions and provide you with lots more insider tips and expert advice from dozens of successful massage therapists.

“Becoming a massage therapist has reduced my stress level tremendously. I always love my work and feel very fulfilled by what I do.” – Cathryn Wright, Massage Therapist

“As a teacher of Business Practices for massage therapists, I have long been looking for a business reference such as this massage therapy guide. I will certainly recommend it as it is especially helpful in that it is so complete and has easy access to many important websites, such as the state licenses. It is a thorough and helpful guide for any massage therapist.” – Greg Hurd, Director of Career Development and Outreach Bancroft School of Massage Therapy

Income Potential Of A Massage Therapist

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median hourly wages (including gratuities) ranges from $16.78 to $33.47. However, they add that many massage therapists work part-time, which skews the averages considerably.

According to Salary.com, the median salary is $42,892, with the lowest earners making just over $28,000 and the top earners bringing in over $60,000. Payscale says the top paying states for massage therapy are: California, Texas, and Michigan. The best credential to have is “Certified Massage Therapist,” which allows you to earn up to $150 an hour. Those working in physical therapy offices generally make the most money, followed by day spas and healthcare settings. About 57 percent of all massage therapists are self-employed.

Tips & Warnings

• A massage therapists’ job is very physically demanding! This industry has a high turnover rate because the masseuses often fail to take care of themselves. Stretching, taking time off, and receiving massages is an important part of being successful in this career field.

• Don’t forget to take time off. You may charge $65 per hour, but most massage therapists would then only take a couple clients per week because the work is so physically demanding.

• Keep in mind what you’re taught in school. Use gravity instead of muscle power when massaging, be sure to maintain good posture, and keep your thumbs aligned with your forearms to prevent injury.

• Look for the right work environment. Find a place that values quality, rather than quantity so you don’t overwork yourself. It’s okay to take it slow in the beginning to prevent burn-out.

• If you plan to go into business for yourself, plan to have a second job while you gather clients. Keep in mind that you will also have to buy all your own equipment like tables, essential oils, etc. Another option is to rent space from a spa that provides everything except the lubricants. You will, however, have to pay a portion of your income in rental fees.

• Once you’ve learned how to become a massage therapist, consider volunteering at community events and local activities to get your name out there and reel in some new business. It could be slow-going at first!

• Massage can be a competitive industry, depending on where you live. The more specializations you had to your credentials, the more business you can bring in!