Massage Therapist
Quick Facts
Median Salary$59,874
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth-4.08%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Massage Therapist uses massage to relieve tension, pain, and other ailments in patients, and promote general well-being. May specialize in a certain type of massage, such as deep-tissue or sports massage. May be self-employed or work in a private practice, spa, fitness center, or medical or chiropractic care facility.
Core Tasks:
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Maintain treatment records.
- Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
- Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
- Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
- Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
- Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin.
- Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
- Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.
What to expect as a Massage Therapist
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
10% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Massage Therapist related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
4593 openings for Massage Therapists
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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