Thinking of going to massage school? It’s a huge investment of time, energy, and money, so before you dive in, do your research. Ask other massage therapists about workplace realities: starting salaries, what they love (and hate) about being a massage therapist, and what qualities are required to be successful in the field.
Being a massage therapist can be a satisfying line of work. You work one on one with people. You are helping them feel better, which can be very rewarding. Learning how the body works and what it can do to relieve pain is intellectually stimulating. And there are so many ways to learn that you can always be enriching your knowledge and skills. Many masseurs are absolutely in love with their job and cannot imagine doing anything else.
But being a massage therapist has some downsides. It is a physically demanding job with a high burnout rate. In a spa setting, you can give five to eight massages a day. Many massage therapists stop working after two years because their body can’t handle it, and others go to work part-time.
Another cause of abandonment is that they cannot earn enough money. Men have a hard time getting jobs, some spas have even been 100% employed by female staff, and once they are hired, they are booked. Most female masseurs have had unpleasant experiences with male clients wanting a happy ending or behaving inappropriately.
Here are some things that should be on your checklist when considering a career in massage therapy and evaluating massage schools.
Will I be able to find a job?
In spas there is a greater demand for masseurs than estheticians, so chances are you can find work somewhere. More people understand the value of regular massage therapy. In particular, chains like Massage Envy have opened up the expanded market for regular, affordable massages. The downside is that what massage therapists do for massage is less in that setting.
Beware of high salary claims
Massage schools are dedicated to attracting new students. They are selling themselves! Don’t believe them if they say you’re going to make $ 50,000 or more straight from school. It’s not easy to get a job at a highly desirable hotel or resort, even with experience, and it can be a highly seasonal job. Developing your own practice takes time and is unrealistic for most new graduates. You better believe what other massage therapists and spa directors say about starting salaries in your area. Do your own research.
Massage school has also become much more expensive in recent years, which means your investment is higher.
Talk to people about the reputation of massage schools
Talk to people you know who are in the spa business and ask them to recommend massage schools in your area. The masseurs are especially helpful. Call the spa owners or directors at the spas where you would like to work and ask which massage school they would like to hire. That will give you a good idea of which massage schools have the best reputation.
Locate massage schools in the state where you want to work
Find massage schools in the state where you want to work. Each state has its own licensing practices, and massage schools can provide you with more information on the licensing requirements in your state. Here are two of the best places to look for massage schools.
- AMTA massage school search engine
- Natural Healers massage school search engine
Once you narrow down your list, call the school for an initial phone interview. Massage schools have an admissions department that can answer your questions and send you an information packet. Ask the staff about licensing requirements in your state, the curriculum, how much it costs, part-time and full-time programs, and financial aid.
Visit the massage school
It is also very important to make an on-site visit to the massage school. Do you like the atmosphere? Are you impressed by the teachers? Talk to students while you’re there and ask what they think (away from teachers or admissions counselors). Some schools have an open house or free workshops so you can get a feel for massage therapy in general and the environment at the school.
Ask massage schools about their philosophy
All massage schools will teach you what you need to know to pass the state licensing exam. But ask about their philosophy and approach. Do you combine theory and practice from the beginning? How long have your teachers worked there? Do you have classes in oriental modalities like Shiatsu? What is your continuing education program?
Talk to the massage school graduates
Ask massage schools for the names and phone numbers of the graduates. Give them a call to get an honest assessment of that school’s strengths and weaknesses. Ask about the job market, starting wages, and what it’s like in the real world.
