Do you like to use your hands to heal others? If you do, you may want to learn how to become a massage therapist. Therapists in this line of work use touch to treat muscles which are tired and/or overworked, painful ailments or sports related injuries. Massage is also used for general health purposes. Not only is massage good for medical reasons, it is also used for those who are stressed out as it is very relaxing.
Different techniques may be used by therapists as there are over 80 to choose from. Determining if this field is right for you will also involve choosing which modality or modalities you are most comfortable with. But this is part of what makes pursuing a career as a massage therapist so interesting. The variety that the job provides in terms of technique really make this a fun job to learn and explore. Read on for more information education and licensing requirements.
Massage Therapist Education And License
If you choose to pursue how to become a massage therapist, you will need to learn the requirements of your state for those in this field. Many public and private post secondary schools offer programs in this area. Up to 500 coursework hours may be required and topics covered include anatomy and the study of body mechanics. Some programs are accredited while most are approved by the State board. If your state regulates massage therapy, you must graduate from an approved program. Continuing education may also be required.
If you choose to practice in a state which regulates massage therapy, you must obtain a license which will require that you pass an exam showing your competency. More than one exam may be used for this purpose. Some states offer their own exam while others have you sit for either or both the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam. You may be required to pay a fee and renew your license on a regular basis.
Massage Therapist Salary
Many are learning how to become a massage therapist as this career is expected to grow faster than average. The median hourly wage for a therapist, as of May 2008, was $16.78 an hour. Those in the lowest 10% earned less than $8.01 an hour while those in the top 10% earned more than $33.47 an hour.
Tipping does play a role in how much you may make and will depend in part on where you work. Hospitals and clinical settings don’t allow tipping in most cases. Research this career thoroughly to determine if it is right for you. It may just be the dream job you have been looking for.
Job Growth
Things are looking good moving forward for massage therapists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for massage therapits are expected to grow at a rate of about 19% until 2018 which is faster than average when you compare with the rest of jobs in the country.
Keep in mind that when just starting out you will most likely have to work part time before you can establish a regular client base.
Great Video Overview
Take a look at this great little video that highlights massage therapy as a career. Check it out!