Massage Labor Statistics

A career in massage therapy offers the benefits of both rewarding work and flexible scheduling.  Massage therapists work in an array of settings such as spas, resorts, chiropractic and physical therapy offices, hospitals, and fitness centers. Some massage therapists also travel to corporate offices and clients' homes to give a massage.

Employment

Most  massage therapists (80%) started entered massage therapy as a second career. 

Only 6.7% of massage therapists work solely as an employee, most are at least partially self employed.  Therapists earn an average wage of $43 an hour (including tips), with wages ranging $16-75 per hour.

Massage therapists work in a variety of work environments including:
  59 % client’s home/business/corporate setting
  37 % home office
  36 % office
  28 % spa setting
  25 % health care setting

Self Employment

According to ABMP, 77.9% of massage therapists are independent practitioners.  In 2014, the average annual income for a massage therapist (including tips) was estimated to be $22,165.  In 2014, therapists charged an average of $68  per  hour of massage  vs. $65 in 2013.

Working an average of 18 hours a week providing massage. (Excludes time spent on other business tasks such as billing, bookkeeping, supplies, maintaining equipment, marketing, scheduling, etc.)

Half of massage therapists also earn income working from another profession, including:
  12 % practice other forms of bodywork
    9 % work in other forms of health care
    7 % teach/write/lecture about massage therapy
    4 % movement therapy

The Massage Profession

Massage therapy was estimated to be a $11.7 billion industry in the US in 2014.  Massage therapists are predominately women (88%), however, it is vastly expanding to include more men every year.  In 2014, the median age of therapists were 45 years old, with about 1/3 of all massage therapists being under 35.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

The median annual wage (including gratuities) for massage therapists was $35,970 in May 2012.  Massage related employment is projected to grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. This expected growth in the demand for massage services will increase job openings for massage therapists.

Massage Field Career Opportunities 

Program graduates of the Santa Barbara Body Therapy Institute are qualified to be a Massage Technician, Certified Massage Practitioner, Certified Massage Therapist, or Holistic Health Practitioner.

Massage Statistic Resources

Information presented on this page is based on data available on the following sites as of September 2015.   For the most up to date statistics, please refer to the following links:

ABMP's Statistics: Income and Employment
AMTA's Massage Industry Fact Sheet
US Bureau of Labor Statistics