Career Focus: Massage Therapist
Degrees in Healthcare’s blog is taking a microscope to a budding career that is only going to grow as the baby boomer population continues to age: the massage therapist.
Massage therapy school is most commonly fulfilled at a campus, although there are massage therapist programs that students may complete it at home. Before starting this career path, it’s suggested that students check the standards of the state they live in; some states will require students to complete a specific amount of hands-on training hours, while others will require the student to pass tests such as NCETMB and NESL. The student may be required to fulfill these additional requirements in addition to schooling.
How much does a massage therapist make?
Massage therapists charge anywhere from $30 to $60 and higher for a massage. Whether or not the massage therapist makes all of the money charged depends on if they are self-employed or if they work as a massage therapy facility that receives part of their wages. It is generally considered a modest, livable income, though there are massage therapists that certainly live luxurious lifestyles.
How much schooling does it require?
Unlike many healthcare jobs, a massage therapist may start their career in as little as a year. All that’s required is the completion of a specific vocational training program for certification, and then the completion of any hours and/or tests for the student’s given state. General education is typically not part of massage therapy training.
Do I need any previous educational experience to pursue a career as a massage therapist?
Massage therapists need to be able to read, speak, and write. They also need to have fully functional physical motor skills.
Can I work from home?
Many massage therapists run their business right from their own home; of course, it’s recommended that a specific room is dedicated to this practice. Part of massage therapy, much like dining, relies on ambiance.
Is there a high demand for massage therapists?
Massage therapy is the leading occupation for alternative health remedies. Alternative health is playing a huge role in the growth of the healthcare industry. Put two-and-two together and you have a stellar career with high demand and growth.
One comment
The amount of money that a Massage Therapist makes is often misleading, especially for those who are fresh out of school adn are working for someone else. Yes once you have built up a good clientele you can be making the amounts of money listed here, however it can take several years to build up a full time client list.