Licensed Massage Therapist Career - Education, Jobs & Salary

This article was originally posted at https://massagecareernow.com/career-guide

Are you considering becoming a licensed massage therapist (LMT) and are curious to learn more? Choosing to become a masseuse has many rewards and benefits, such as creating your own hours, helping people recover from injuries, and having a variety of workplace options. The cool thing about attending massage therapy school is once you have that certification and pass the licensing exam, you’re ready to go out there and fulfill your dream.

Read on to understand what to expect when becoming a massage therapist.

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QUALITIES

To be eligible to attend massage therapy school, you must be a minimum of 16 years of age and either be a high school graduate or have a GED. But, from there, you should possess certain soft skills to be successful in the competitive field of massage therapy.

Key Qualities of a Great Massage Therapist:

• Outgoing personality and able to self-promote
• Business Management Skills
• Client Focus is key, so empathy and compassion are necessary qualities
• Calm, soothing personality to create a relaxing ambiance
• Good communicator as well as an excellent listener
• Good judgment and decisiveness to determine the best route to take with a client
• Top physical condition and stamina due to the nature of the job

MASSAGE THERAPY SCHOOL

Because massage therapists work on bodies, muscles, and tissues, training on human anatomy and physiology will be an important part of a massage therapy courses. Massage therapy students will take classes in kinesiology, which is the study of motion and mechanics of the human body; pathology, history of massage, benefits and effects of massage, laws and regulations of massage therapy, different modalities or types of massage such as Swedish, hot stone, sports, deep tissue, prenatal, and more.

There is also the hands-on aspect of massage therapy school which is the training portion of a class. The instructor will demonstrate the lesson and then the class will typically break down into groups where they will work on each other.

A typical school day in massage therapy school will include two one-hour technical classes and 2.5 hours of hands-on training. The numbers may vary depending on where the massage therapy courses are taken.

Not only will the class instructor guide their students through both the practical and hands-on segments, but they will also prepare them for the licensing exam which is the last factor needed before being considered an licensed therapist.

If you choose to take the practical courses through an online school, you still will need to find a way to incorporate the lab portion of hands-on experience and must be able to prove it in order to take the required state licensing exam.

HOW LONG IS TRAINING?

Because massage therapists have to be licensed in most of the states, it is necessary to be trained through a massage therapy school. The required hours can vary by state, but students must all pass the MBLEx exam. Be sure to check with your own state to find out exactly how many hours of hand-on training (and any other requirements) you may need.

According to many sources, required hands-on hours will range between 330-1,000 hours. A total of 600 hours is considered the average amount of hands-on training hours needed to become a massage therapist.

Some programs can take two years. Whether you decided to go full or part-time will also be what determines the length of schooling. In some cases, upon graduation, the massage therapist will need to practice under a seasoned massage therapist. This part of the training lasts up to six months.

PROGRAM COST

With massage therapy school averaging between 500-600 hours, the bottom line cost of the education is approximately $6,000-$10,000 before the necessary school supplies are purchased. If you go to a community college, the cost of the course runs on par with the school’s tuition per credit hour, but private massage therapy schools will have different prices.

Massage therapy school prices can range anywhere between $6-$17 per hour of class time with an average of $9-$10/hour of education. The shorter the massage therapy program is, the less it will cost. Some programs do include the cost of the chair or table which runs around $500.

Factors that determine the cost of massage therapy school are location, curriculum courses, hours of instruction, facilities, and cost of supplies. When looking for a massage therapy school, be sure to find out from the admissions office whether textbooks, oils and lotions, and massage tables or chairs are included in the cost of the school. Be sure to find out if there are scholarships and loans available to you, as well.

SOME MODALITIES

In massage therapy school, students are taught a variety of modalities and techniques. Students practice on each other, which is the lab portion of massage school. Students will learn how to combine different techniques to best service their future clients’ needs. Students are encouraged to discover their creativity within their approach to the various techniques and apply them when working with their classmates to find what works and what doesn’t.

These are the most common and popular modalities taught in massage therapy schools across the country:

• Swedish Massage: This technique uses long, flowing strokes to create a relaxing, de-stressing massage.
• Deep-Tissue Massage: The deep-tissue massage is used to release muscle tension by using more pressure.
• Trigger-Point Massage: This technique focuses on specific areas and muscles that are holding tension. It releases knots.
• Sports Massage: Sports massage is specific to athletes who overuse their muscles. Many sports teams have their own, personal sports massage therapist on call.
• Reflexology: Originated in Asian cultures, reflexology focuses on the foot to release tension from the rest of the body.
• Chair Massage: This is a popular form of massage where the client, who is fully clothed, sits in a special massage chair to receive their massage.

Massage Career Now has an article about other popular massage modalities.

THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Most states require students to sit for the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage (NCETM) or the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) held by the NCBTMB. However, some states may require the students to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) which is maintained by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board.

The exams must be retaken every 4 years in order to keep your license current. But, an alternative to retaking the exam, 48 hours of continuing education with 200 hours of massage therapy completed within the 4 year period is acceptable. There must be documented proof in order for this to be a valid option.

There are only 6 states that have no licensing requirements. They are Alaska, Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Wyoming. To work as a massage therapist in any of the other states, you must be certified and licensed, and each state has their own set of specific requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Masseuses can be found working in a variety of spaces. Their work conditions vary depending on where they work, and the needs of the clients they work with.

• Medical and Healthcare: Massage therapists who work in the medical and healthcare industry focus on healing their clients using pressure. While they may be in a more relaxed atmosphere, the practice concentrates more on deep tissue massage practices.
• Spas and Salons: Spas and Salons can be found everywhere, from a strip mall to a cruise ship. It is a more relaxed environment filled with lovely smelling candles and sometimes dim lighting.
• Self-Employed: Many massage therapists choose to freelance which allows them the freedom to choose their clients, work hours, and workspace. They may work out of their own homes or travel to their clients' homes, bringing their supplies along with them.
• Sports and Fitness: Similar to working in the healthcare industry, sports and fitness massage therapists focus on the healing aspect of the profession, not the relaxation. So, they may work in injury rehabilitation clinics, chiropractic practices, and health clubs.

Massage has been around throughout history because of its much-needed healing and restorative properties. Going to see a massage therapist is one type of appointment that, instead of dreading, most people look very forward to.

CAREER OUTLOOK AND SALARY

The employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 18 percent between now and 2032, which is much faster than the national average.

Because licensing regulations are being mandated by most states, massage therapy is expected to continue on its path to being viewed as an respected part of pain management and overall health and wellness. As this trend continues, more healthcare providers will likely prescribe massage therapy as part of treatment plans.

There has been a drastic increase in the number of massage clinics opening around the country, leading to more employment for massage therapists. And, the number of sports teams employing massage therapists has risen, as well. These are just two factors that are driving the explosive growth of the profession.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the 2023 average salary for massage therapists was $62,560, with the top 10 percent making $95,700 or more. Keep in mind, most massage therapists make a combination of salary plus additional tips.

Join the rewarding and expanding world of massage therapy today!