Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. With their touch, therapists relieve pain, help heal injuries, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and aid in the general wellness of clients.

Massage therapists typically do the following:

• Talk with clients about their symptoms, medical history, and desired results
• Evaluate clients to locate painful or tense areas of the body
• Manipulate muscles and other soft tissues of the body
• Provide clients with guidance on stretching, strengthening, overall relaxation, and how to improve their posture
• Document clients’ conditions and progress

The job outlook for Massage Therapists is 22%, which is much faster than average.  This number represents the amount of growth in the number of jobs for massage therapists through 2024.

Work Environment

Massage therapists work in an array of settings, such as spas, franchised clinics, physicians’ offices, hotels, and fitness centers. Some massage therapists also travel to clients’ homes or offices to give a massage.

Education

Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education program of 500 or more hours of study and experience, although standards and requirements vary by state or other jurisdictions. Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to have a license or certification.

Salary

The median annual wage for massage therapists was $37,180 in May 2014. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,460, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $71,950.

Most massage therapists earn a combination of wages and tips.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
 http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm