Massage Therapist Salary
When one hears the term massage therapist, they may giggle thinking this is not a reputable profession. Nothing is further from the truth. One who works in this field uses touch to help decompress muscles, treat painful conditions, rehabilitate injuries and reduce stress. All are accomplished by manipulating soft tissue muscles in the human body.
Not only does massage therapy have medicinal benefits, it is also wonderful for relaxation. There are more than 80 types of massage. Each one is called a modality and the type of massage chosen influences how long treatment will take and what will be accomplished. If you think you would enjoy a career in this field, you will need to learn more about the massage therapist salary, education, training and certification.
Massage Therapist Training and Education
Each state and locality has its own standards and requirements when it comes to training in this field. Many public and private post secondary institutions offer programs of this type and you can spend 500 or more hours to complete coursework. Some offer a general overview of massage therapy while others concentrate on one or two modalities. In general, these programs require State board approval and accredited schools are preferred by employers. Check with your State board to determine what is needed in your state.
Massage Therapist License
For those states which require a license before you may operate as a massage therapist, you will need to successfully complete a training program approved by the state. When this program has been passed, an exam will be completed and may consist of a State exam and/or one of two tests that have been nationally recognized. These tests are the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination and the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Often a fee must be paid and your license renewed on a regular basis.
Massage Therapist Salary
When you consider the massage therapist salary, you must take into consideration gratuities. The median annual wage for someone in this field as of May 2008 was $16.78. Your annual wages may differ significantly though as many choose to work part time in this field. Consider all of the above when determining if this is the right career choice for you as many find it to be very satisfying and flexible.
Job Growth Outlook For Massage Therapists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for massage therapists are expected to grow at a rate of 19% between 2008 and 2018. This is quite a bit faster than the average in the U.S.
Job openings for massage therapists will grow particularly fast in a few specific areas. Growth will continue in spas and similar settings as they will continue to be the largest employers of massage therapists. However, smaller massage clinics are gaining popularity that can offer massages at a cheaper rate. These massage clinics can offer a great path for massage therapists starting out.
Another interesting avenue for massage therapy is actually opening up in the business sector. More and more companies and offices are starting to provide on site massages to their employees to help with pack pain and relaxation.
As massage therapy becomes more and more widespread across the country it will be important for prospective massage therapists will be the best training and certification. This will help you gain an upper hand over other job hunters.
Be sure to do some further research online into specific online certification and training programs. Good luck!
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