What Does it Take to Be a Massage Therapist?
Job Description & Duties Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.
Massage Therapist Responsibilities
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.
- Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Maintain treatment records.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
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Massage Therapist Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Massage Therapists say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles
- Massage Operator
- Bodywork Therapist
- Mechanotherapist
- Medical Massage Therapist
- Massotherapist
Job Demand for Massage Therapists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 160,300 jobs in the United States for Massage Therapist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 26.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 42,100 new jobs for Massage Therapist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 22,600 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Massage Therapist are Washington, Utah, and Tennessee. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, Vermont, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Massage Therapist
The salary for Massage Therapists ranges between about $21,340 and $78,280 a year.
Massage Therapists who work in Alaska, Washington, or Oregon, make the highest salaries.
How much do Massage Therapists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,890 |
| Alaska | $82,280 |
| Arizona | $42,340 |
| Arkansas | $41,890 |
| California | $41,460 |
| Colorado | $46,190 |
| Connecticut | $43,170 |
| District of Columbia | $40,890 |
| Florida | $46,240 |
| Georgia | $37,210 |
| Hawaii | $61,750 |
| Idaho | $50,560 |
| Illinois | $46,340 |
| Indiana | $48,650 |
| Iowa | $40,030 |
| Kansas | $29,370 |
| Kentucky | $52,960 |
| Louisiana | $30,060 |
| Maine | $43,450 |
| Maryland | $42,430 |
| Massachusetts | $53,750 |
| Michigan | $42,710 |
| Minnesota | $52,910 |
| Mississippi | $29,080 |
| Missouri | $37,100 |
| Montana | $46,500 |
| Nebraska | $45,340 |
| Nevada | $29,620 |
| New Hampshire | $47,360 |
| New Jersey | $44,610 |
| New Mexico | $42,260 |
| New York | $52,830 |
| North Carolina | $41,560 |
| North Dakota | $39,640 |
| Ohio | $39,370 |
| Oklahoma | $41,770 |
| Oregon | $64,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,730 |
| Rhode Island | $40,970 |
| South Carolina | $41,440 |
| South Dakota | $34,350 |
| Tennessee | $44,190 |
| Texas | $49,100 |
| Utah | $40,880 |
| Vermont | $44,580 |
| Virginia | $38,990 |
| Washington | $62,520 |
| West Virginia | $34,750 |
| Wisconsin | $42,440 |
| Wyoming | $43,060 |
What Tools do Massage Therapists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Massage Therapists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Scheduling software
How do I Become a Massage Therapist?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Massage Therapist?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Massage Therapist?
Who Employs Massage Therapists?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Massage Therapist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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