Additional Information
Statistics
In 2005, massage therapy was projected to be a $6 to $11 billion a year industry.
- It is estimated that there are 250,000 to 300,000 massage therapists and massage school students in the United States.
- According to the U.S. Department of Labor in 2002, employment opportunities for massage therapists were expected to grow at a faster than average rate. Through 2012, massage therapists are likely to see a 20 percent to 35 percent increase in job opportunities.
- Between August 2004 and July 2005, approximately 47 million American adults received a massage – 2 million more than in the previous year.
Income
Massage therapists earn a comparable annual income when compared to other healthcare support workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.
The average annual income for a massage therapist (including tips) who provides 15 hours of massage per week is $29,250, compared to $26,210 for full-time physical therapist aides; $28,140 for fulltime physicians’ office workers, $34,780 for full-time recreational therapists, and $26,610 for other full-time healthcare support workers.
While massage therapists practice in a variety of work environments, sole practitioners and independent contractors account for the largest percentage of practicing massage therapists.