Massage therapy is a satisfying career choice that more and more people are choosing to pursue. This popular profession imparts many benefits with relatively few disadvantages, and it does not require an extensive amount of school or training. If you are debating whether or not to start the journey to become a massage therapist, then you should learn about five things that facilitate the high percentage of job satisfaction among therapists.
The Ability to Help Others
One reason that people choose to become a massage therapist is the opportunity to help people. People go to a masseuse for a variety of problems, including stress relief, chronic pain, and acute injury. Your one to two hour session can significantly help these problems, which in turn enhances the quality of life of your clients.
As a massage therapist, you have the chance to improve your clients’ quality of life
It is also satisfying to see the improvement in a client over time, especially if he or she is recovering from a significant injury or dealing with a chronic condition. You may even find you and your recurring clients forming a bond, especially as you will continually be improving their health and wellbeing.
Be Your Own Boss
As a massage therapist, you have the benefit of being your own boss. Some therapists may work for a spa as an employee, but most therapists work as a contract employee or rent a chair in a salon. This means that you can choose when you work, and when you take time off for vacation. You also can choose what services to offer and how much to charge.
As your own boss, you can choose which massage modalities to offer
If you do not want to answer to anyone, even as a contract employee, you can easily start your own massage business with a chair.
A Growing Job Outlook
Massage therapy is expected to grow 23 percent in the 10 years from 2012 to 2022, based on the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is much faster than most jobs in other industries, which means that this career has a positive outlook and a high level of job security.
Massage therapy training comes with job security
As a massage therapist just starting out, you may have to initially work part time while you build your clientele, but once you have built your client base, you can have a stable job.
Potential for High Income
Depending on your clientele, offerings, expertise, and environment, you have the potential for earning a high income. The median pay for massage therapists is $35,970, according to the BLS, and you have the potential for an even higher income. The median pay is around a thousand dollars more that of all occupations and about 5,000 more than other health care support occupations. The top 10 percent of massage therapists earned more than $70,000 in a year.
A Variety of Paths
Another reason to love being a massage therapist is that you have a variety of options for jobs and the opportunity to continually learn new skills. There are over 65 different massage and bodywork techniques that you can learn, so you will never get bored. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of environments for employment.
You can work in a franchise, be your own boss, or work in a luxury spa
According to the Washington Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association, you can find jobs in health resorts, vacation resorts, hotels, spas, salons, franchises, chiropractic or physical therapy clinics, acupuncture clinics, health facilities, and specialty massage clinics. You can also start your own practice, including a home-based practice. Some shopping centers and airports also offer chair massages.
As part of your license requirements, you most likely will have to undergo continuing education throughout your career. This provides the opportunity to learn the latest techniques and modalities, which in turn will enhance your career and provide even more opportunities. Check out our courses here.