Massage Therapy Salary

Allied Health World has researched the salaries for massage therapists working in various employment settings, and spoke with Sandra Bennett, an independently employed massage therapist, who explains the business structure and income associated with independent practice. Sandra offers a very knowledgeable perspective after years in the industry, and describes her experience working with insurance companies to be reimbursed for client services:

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How much do salaried massage therapists earn?

Massage therapists who work in spas or hotels, or most anywhere outside of a clinical setting, will earn between 15 and 20 percent of their income through gratuity. According to a May 2008 publication by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapists employed through health clubs, hotels, and spas can expect to earn between $36,520 and $41,430 yearly including gratuity. Those who work in a clinical setting where tipping is not the norm can expect a comparable salary of between $37,230 and $47,410 each year. Massage therapists who work in the athletic departments of colleges, as well as those who hold instructional and teaching positions, can expect salaries that range between $52,170 and $73,020 The following table represents the average hourly wage and annual income by industry for massage therapists in salaried positions:

Industry	Hourly Mean Wage	Annual Mean Wage
Personal Care Services	$17.90	$37,230
Offices of Other Health Practitioners	$21.55	$44,830
Traveler Accommodations	$17.56	$36,520
Amusement/Recreation Industries	$19.92	$41,430
Dentist’s Office	$21.77	$45,280
Specialty Hospitals	$21.94	$45,620
Nursing Care Facilities	$22.80	$47,410
Junior Colleges	$25.08	$52,170
Schools/Instructional Positions	$35.11	$73,020

How much do independently employed massage therapists earn?

Independently employed massage therapists can earn much more than their salaried counterparts. The cost of an hour-long massage is typically between $75 and $130 for most modalities. Massage therapists with independent practices who have been recognized as exceptional at their chosen modality and who have an established client base in large cities have been known to charge in excess of $300 for one-hour sessions. How much of this hourly rate these independently employed massage therapists net is largely dependent on how they have chosen to structure their business. These additional considerations for cost of doing business would include staffing a receptionist or employing other massage therapists, as well as the additional expense of a leased office or retail space.

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How would a massage therapist work with insurance companies to be reimbursed for client services?

Certain insurance companies are willing to include medical massage therapy in the coverage they offer their clients. This is not necessarily exclusive to accident victims receiving rehabilitation therapy. In fact, some insurance companies offer elective massage therapy as part of their comprehensive medical coverage plans. Insurance companies; however, pay far less for elective massage than they do for rehabilitation therapy needed as a result of an accident of injury. Still, this allows the massage therapists who choose to accept insurance reimbursement to work with these insurance companies in a way that is mutually beneficial. The massage therapist enjoys an increase in the number of clients available to work with, and the insurance company is able to provide its customers with effective therapeutic rehabilitation therapy or preventative massage therapy at a reduced cost. Sandra Bennett told us, “Most insurance companies that offer massage pay very little. For example, I work with one company that pays me $40 for a one-hour massage. A car accident or work injury will reimburse me $100 for an hour massage. In either case, the paper work is the same.”