What is a Realistic Massage Therapist Salary?

Listen to an interview with author Laura Allen.In 2011, the average annual massage therapist income (including tips) was an estimated $21,028, according to the 2012 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet from the AMTA. Most therapists (73 percent) were sole practitioners, rather than employees.

On average, therapists did 15 hours of massage each week, earning an average of $47 for each hour of massage. Sole practitioners earned the highest pay, while practitioners working in spas and salons earned the lowest hourly wage. The AMTA also noted that 53 percent of massage therapists also earned money working in another job.

Government Salary Data

The latest available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is for 2010. The BLS reports a mean hourly wage for massage therapists as $19.12, with a mean annual massage therapy salary of $39,770. Note that the BLS calculates the annual amount by multiplying the hourly mean wage by 2,080 hours (that's 40 hours a week for 52 weeks).

The problem with this data is that it just doesn't reflect reality: Few therapists do more than 20 hours of massage each week, and many do massage only part time, so basing salary on 40 hours a week for 52 weeks is just not accurate.

The BLS does provide some interesting data. For example, the states with the highest massage therapist salaries were Alaska, Delaware, Washington, Vermont, and New York. The states with the most massage practitioners were California, Florida, Texas, Washington, and Illinois.

Earning Higher Massage Therapist Income

Can massage therapists earn more? Yes, highly skilled practitioners with a track record can charge $100 or more an hour. But, remember, that doesn't represent salary, as these practitioners are self-employed and have business expenses before paying themselves. (You will never make that kind of money working for someone else.) Still, 20 hours a week at $100/hour for 50 weeks a year is $100,000.

A good resource if you have this goal is The Magic Touch: How to Make $100,000 per Year as a Massage Therapist. The book's author is Meagan Holub, LMT. Click here to listen to an interview with Megan.

Another way for massage therapists to earn more is to open a clinic and employ other practitioners. Great marketing skills are essential for a successful clinic, plus you also need business, administrative, and human resource skills.

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