What Does it Take to Be a Massage Therapist?
Massage Therapist Definition 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.
What Do Massage Therapists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Assess clients’ soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
- Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients’ recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
- Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
- 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.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Massage Therapist?
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Massage Therapist
- Swedish Masseuse
- Massage Operator
- Massotherapist
- Medical Massage Therapist
- Mechanotherapist
What Kind of Massage Therapist Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 160,300 jobs for Massage Therapist in 2016 (in the United States). 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. The BLS estimates 22,600 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Average Massage Therapists Salary
The average yearly salary of a Massage Therapist ranges between $21,340 and $78,280.
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 & Technology 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
Becoming a Massage Therapist
What kind of Massage Therapist requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Massage Therapist?
Where Massage Therapists Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Massage Therapist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.