For many people, considering a career change can be overwhelming. But for those who dare to venture into new territory, I want to give you 7 great reasons to consider massage therapy as your next career.
Whether you’ve been in corporate America for years and want to find another career, you’ve been in healthcare and want to expand your skillset, or if you’ve worked in some other field but your family has always called upon you to rub the tension out of their shoulders, a career in massage therapy may be your next right move.
Maybe you’re thinking, I’m too old to do massage therapy. Not true! There are some fabulous veteran therapists in our field whose careers have lasted five decades or more. You may be surprised to learn that there are ways to increase the longevity of your massage career–ways to protect your body, modalities to learn that aren’t physically taxing, and non-traditional roles you could find yourself in as a therapist. Don’t disqualify yourself. It’s not too late to start!
So, let’s look at our 7 reasons to consider massage therapy:
1. Getting educated takes less time than a traditional degree.
Massage therapy training typically takes 500 to 1000 hours to complete, and most programs can be finished within a year. Following the formal training, you’ll need to sit for a licensing exam, and you can do that near or immediately following graduation, depending on your program and state requirements.
But don’t be fooled–the short time frame doesn’t mean compromised education. Over the past thirty years or so, amazing research has been done in the field of massage, and we now have literally thousands of quality resources to draw from, not to mention the veteran therapists who are willing to share their skills.
Compared to traditional degrees that require years to complete and cost tens of thousands of dollars more, you’re saving time and money in choosing massage school!
2. It doesn’t cost much to get started.
Once you have your license, you may decide to start your own practice. Your massage program will typically require you to purchase a table, linens, and other supplies, so you will likely already have those on hand. Other expenses can include insurance, software, professional memberships, and any tools or equipment you don’t already own. These are setup costs, but they won’t break the bank and compared to starting other types of businesses, the investment is minimal. If you decide to rent a room in another healthcare practitioner’s office, a spa, or a wellness center, these rates are usually affordable as you will also be providing increased foot traffic to someone else’s business.
3. Great occupational outlook and demand.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupational outlook for massage therapy through 2034 is 15% growth, while the average for all occupations is just 3%.[1] This is five times the average growth rate!
As more and more people are learning the importance of wellness and self-care, and as therapists are becoming more accepted among interdisciplinary treatment teams, the demand will continue to increase.
There is no machine, computer, or AI that will ever satisfy the need for human touch.
4. Variety is the spice of life!
These days, massage therapists can be found almost everywhere! Once you’re a licensed therapist, you have tons of choices when it comes to where you will work. Here are just a few to consider:
- Chiropractic or Physical Therapy Clinic
- Sports team
- Senior center
- Wellness clinic
- Hospital
- Oncology clinci
- Cruise ship
- Spa
- Private practice
- Corporate wellness
- Resort
The sky’s the limit!
Not only will you have variety in your location, but, depending on where you decide to work, you’ll likely have a non-traditional work schedule. This can be a relief if you’ve had a corporate career or have worked shift work. That said, it can also be an adjustment if you are expected to work evenings and weekends. Wherever you work, you’ll need to be available when your clients are. Most often, though, massage therapy schedules can offer flexibility to balance family life and other responsibilities. You’ll have to find what works best for you, but know that you have options!
5. If you work hard, you have good earning potential.
Reports vary on the current average earnings for massage therapists, but range from $50,000–$80,000+ per year, while some specializations with an established client base, earn six figures. Some variables seen within these numbers include location, area of specialization, and the therapist’s business mode. Your business model is a key dynamic in increasing your earning potential.
Students usually come to massage school because they are “therapy” people, not because they’re “business” people, but business is a key aspect of financial success in this field.
If you don’t consider yourself a business person and you want to increase your earning potential, it would help to take a business course to give you a push in that direction. Some schools, like ASMMW, include a business course as part of the massage therapy curriculum. This gives students a solid footing for starting and growing their own business.
6. You’ll have opportunities to specialize and grow
During your massage therapy program, you’ll be introduced to lots of modalities and specializations, and you’ll probably find a few that really interest you. As a licensed therapist, you’ll be required to complete continuing education hours, so, after graduation, you’ll have endless opportunities to specialize in a particular area and/or expand your skills. And the great thing is that you can do this at any time in your career! Adding specialized certifications is a great way to increase your earning potential and make yourself available to even more clientele.
7. It’s a very rewarding career, mentally and physically.
Massage keeps you active and can motivate your own health journey. Being in a positive environment that promotes healing for others can inspire you to get and stay healthy, to be the best you can be for yourself and your clients.
In your day-to-day work life, when you can relieve someone’s pain and they leave feeling better than when they showed up, it is extremely rewarding. Of course, you’ll have to learn some self-care techniques to ensure you have a long and enjoyable career, but you’re not confined to a desk, and you can often see the results of your work right away. The professional relationships can also be very rewarding. Connecting with clients and getting established in the community and among others in the field is enriching for everyone involved.
We’ve highlighted 7 reasons to consider massage therapy as your next career, but there are so many more! As you’re thinking about your next steps, please feel free to reach out to us here at ASMMW. We are here to help you succeed; we’d love to answer any questions you might have and give you a brief introduction to our program!
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm
