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What You Need to Know About Massage Therapist

Job Description: 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.

Daily Life Of a Massage Therapist

  • Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
  • 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.
  • Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients’ recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
  • Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
  • Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.

Massage Therapist Required Skills

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

  • Massotherapist
  • Licensed Massage Therapist
  • Swedish Masseuse
  • Integrated Deep Tissue Massage Therapist
  • Skin Therapist

Is There Job Demand for Massage Therapists?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 160,300 jobs in the United States for Massage Therapist. 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. There will be an estimated 22,600 positions for Massage Therapist per year.

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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.

How Much Does a Massage Therapist Make?

The average yearly salary of a Massage Therapist ranges between $21,340 and $78,280.

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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

Tools & Technologies Used by Massage Therapists

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 education is needed to be a Massage Therapist?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Massage Therapists Sector

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Those interested in being a Massage Therapist may also be interested in:

References:

Image Credit: Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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