Is Being A Massage Therapist Worth It? Incl. 4 Hard Realities You Should Know.

I was surfing around the internet three months ago, and I came across this question: Is being a massage therapist worth it?

Although I’m not a professional massage therapist. But I was curious about the question because I’ve always been passionate about this niche and anything related to it.

As a result, my colleague and I did in-depth research online and interviewed some massage therapists directly. We found career satisfaction in this profession depends on an individual’s needs.

In the end, we wrote this article and discussed all the benefits and challenges that come with being a massage therapist.

That way, when you read this post to the end, you get to know whether it’s worth pursuing a career in massage therapy. 

First, let’s discuss the reasons why people think massage therapy is worth it.

Also Read: Massage Therapy: 14 Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Reasons Some Massage Therapists Think Their Job Is Worth It

There’s no doubt that being a massage therapist is a rewarding experience. Below are the reasons we gathered from our research and interview:

• You become a licensed professional

Massage therapy is among the most sought-after skills in the United States today. And acquiring your license to practice your profession gives you the utmost career satisfaction. 

Let’s say you reside in Virginia. First, you must graduate from AMBI before sitting for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). 

Once you pass it, you become eligible for a professional massage license. You will apply through the Virginia Board of Nursing. Even when you decide to relocate to another state, you still have your nationally accredited AMBI, and 44 states allow MBLEx.

• It will be easy to get a job after you graduate.

You already have expectations about pursuing a new career after your college graduation. Also, you will have no challenge getting employed or working for yourself. 

Besides, thousands of people are out there who require your services. You can choose to work in a spa, salon, medical clinic, and massage clinic.

• You will have your choice of workplace.

Maybe you would love to help people in a medical facility overcome their chronic pain or help people relax in a spa or a massage clinic. But, the truth is that there are so many places out there that offer you the perfect position to use your skills and all of your training first, it.

• You get to help people for a living.

Making money isn’t the only thing that may catch your attention. You may also be interested in helping people. There are so many things that your skills and training can accomplish, and you can’t wait to get started so that you can help people in dire need of your services.

• Make your schedule.

Massage therapy allows you to become flexible with your schedule. And it doesn’t matter if you decide to get employed or become self-employed, you’ll still be able to set your hours. 

This is good for your overall health and clients as you can work when it’s best appropriate for you to perform at an optimum level.

• Less stress

It would be best if you got a massage once a week as a massage therapist. Moreover, after helping others relieve stress, you also deserve to relax. Finally, taking care of yourself is vital because you can continue to take care of clients.

• You get to stay fit and active.

As a massage therapist, your work often involves extensive movement throughout the day, equating to a few good hours spent in the gym. This helps you to stay fit and active while offering your best service to each client.

Also Read: Massage Therapy for Tinnitus & 7 Relevant Things to Know

4 Hard Realities Of A Career In Massage Therapy

Despite all the numerous benefits you can enjoy when pursuing a career in massage therapy, you could still encounter some challenges if you decide to become a massage therapist. 

Below are four hard realities of a career in massage therapy:

1. It is difficult and expensive to run your own business.

Although it may sound like a good idea to be self-employed and keep all the money your business generates for yourself. 

But in reality, your profits will be used for utilities, rent, insurance, ads, equipment, supplies, and more. Besides, your business requires a solid, recurring customer base so you can bear all the costs you incur to run your own business. 

The fact is that it takes time, sometimes even many years, to build. This is an excellent future goal, but it can be unrealistic when you first start your career as a massage therapist.

2. Working in a salon or spa is not always what you think it will be.

There’s no denying that it could be an incredible experience to work in a salon or spa. And if you are passionate about learning about body treatments, perhaps the best place to work is the spa. 

However, just like any job, this position always has its drawbacks. The contract is sometimes a challenge. Before starting a job that requires you to sign a contract, you should ensure your lawyer goes over it and make sure you understand what you are signing. 

If you are not completely satisfied with the contract, then avoid signing it. Also, you need to know the answers to these questions: What kind of task is expected of you? For example, are you expected to do free promotional massages? Do you receive more than 30-50% commission?

3. A career in massage therapy will not make you wealthy.

First, you should understand a career in massage therapy is not going to make you extremely rich. It would help if you took up a second job to keep yourself up. If you earn a commission, you will likely receive 30-50% of the total cost of the massage.

If you receive an hourly wage, it will probably be between $ 10 and $ 20 an hour. It’s only on a rare case that few massage therapists receive $60-80 per hour.

• The hours of a massage therapy career can be difficult.

Many people mistake massage therapy for a 9 to 5 job. However, this isn’t the case because your client availability determines the hours you work. Furthermore, the afternoon and Saturday hours are almost guaranteed. 

Also, massage is not a profession where you work 40 or more hours a week. Trying to work 40 hours a week can wear out quickly. Therefore, the physical requirements of the massage career should be taken into account when deciding the number of working hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is massage therapy a good career?

Yes, it’s a good career. Pursuing a career in massage therapy allows you to become your boss. And this will provide you with the freedom to choose your classes and do the work of your choice at your own best work hours. So if you’re a student who wants to make a living while still having enough time to participate in activities you love, massage therapy is a good fit for you.

• Is 40 too old to become a massage therapist?

Even better, there is no age limit for massage therapists. That means you are never too old to undergo a course in massage therapy and then start a career.

• Is Massage Therapy hard to learn?

It’s not challenging to learn massage therapy. Although learning new ideas and stepping out of your comfort zone can sometimes be demanding. For students interested in wellness, massage therapy programs are exciting but intense, demanding, but not exhausting.

• Is being a massage therapist stressful?

The early years of your career practice are the most difficult because you are not used to the stress and other psychological demands. Besides, many upstarts quit due to exhaustion. Getting used to emotional needs is also tricky. Clients come to you with disappointments and complaints and may even break down in tears in your room.

• Are massage therapists in high demand?

Yes, massage therapists are in high demand. Everywhere, from hospitals and gyms to spas, they complement their staff. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there will be a 22% growth in employment by 2024. This means that 36,500 more skilled workers will be added in this area.

Also Read: What Are The 5 Basic Massage Movements? (Explained)

Wrapping up

A career in massage therapy involves a lot of work to reach the pinnacle of your career. Unfortunately, the starting pay may not be as mouth-watering as advertised. As a result, you may opt for a second job. 

However, if a career in massage therapy is what you want, do well to pursue it. Although this profession comes with unique challenges that could make you ask whether is being a massage therapist worth it? 

But then, it’s a career that can be fulfilling for you if you decide to put in the necessary work.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website results from in-depth research on various topics. The articles on this site are only for informational and educational purposes, and it’s not intended as medical or health advice. Hence, we suggest you always ensure to seek the opinion of your doctor or other qualified health personnel regarding any questions that relate to health objectives or medical conditions.