What is a Massage Therapist?
Example of Massage Therapist Job 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.
Life As a Massage Therapist
- Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
- Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients’ offices and homes.
- Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain treatment records.
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Things a Massage Therapist Should Know How to Do
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.
Types of Massage Therapist
- Masseur
- Licensed Massage Therapist
- Massage Operator
- Masseuse
- Certified Massage Therapist (CMT)
Job Outlook for Massage Therapists
In the United States, there were 160,300 jobs for Massage Therapist in 2016. 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.
What is the Average Salary of 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 each U.S. state?
| 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
How to Become a Massage Therapist
Education needed to be a Massage Therapist:
How many years of work experience do I need?
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References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly via Public domain
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