Massage Therapy Career - Pay Scale

The pay scale of the massage therapy career depends on a lot of variables. Some of these variables include the type of practice massage therapists do and the location of their practice. In addition, the kinds of techniques used for the massage as also as the skills used are different for different therapists hence leading to the difference in income. Experience also plays an important role in determining the salary in a massage therapy career.

If a massage therapist owns a massage facility then that usually leads to a higher income as compared to other therapists who work for hourly rates. Owning a facility even increases responsibilities. You have to maintain the building and also the client list.

You can also opt to be an independent therapist. In this case you will work in a clinic. The fees are then split on the basis of percentage in order to pay for the provided services like equipment, supplies, receptionist and working space.

Salary varies on the place as well. In cities, charge will be higher as compared to rural areas. So while a massage therapy career in a city can earn you between $60 and $70 every hour, a practice in a rural set up will earn you no more than $35- $50.

In some ways, owning a private massage facility might be better because such therapists earn higher than those who earn hourly. But the second group of therapists does not have to pay for the extra expenses like building and they also do not have the problem of having to maintain clients.

A massage takes a lot from you emotionally and physically. So it is not possible for massage therapists to work for 35 hours every week. But even this capacity will vary from therapist to therapist. But maximum number of professionals practice not more than 15 hours in a week.

This profession is different from the usual corporate professions. It is not possible to aim for promotions and larger salaries in a linear manner. But it is possible to advance even in this field. To do this, a professional will have to do advanced courses on massage therapy and become more specialized. This will not only help increase her fees, it will also bring her a wide range of clientele.

To be a successful massage therapist, it might take somewhere between six and twelve months. During this period a lot of persistence and dedication is needed to be successful in the business. Good entrepreneurial skills are central to developing a successful business.

EZA - Susan Bean