Massage Therapy Jobs
Pros and Cons of working for someone as an employee.
As with anything else, getting a job in massage has it’s advantages and disadvantages. Some of the responsibilities
may include: selling retail products, selling additional services to increase the value of the massage, setting up the room, doing laundry, answering phones and booking appointments and other various duties. It is also important to be aware of the fact that when you go to work for someone, they will have more control over what you do. They may make you dress a certain way, behave a certain way and do certain types of treatments. They will set your hours and the days that you work. They will set up how long appointments are and how much time you have between clients. Most facilities will likely want you to work evenings and weekends. Job pay is usually between $10-$25 per hour, which is really low for what a massage therapist does. Benefits may be slim to none. Employers are able to charge anywhere from $60-$135 per session and more if there are extra services such as bodywraps, aromatherapy or special techniques used. There are higher paying massage jobs out there that will pay $25-$45 per hour or more. I highly recommend holding out to find one of those! Taking a job for less money makes it harder for the profession in general. It creates an image of not being valued.
The one thing that you don’t have to deal with as an employee is the overhead and expenses involved. The employer is taking the risk of starting and building the business.
I have heard many stories of massage therapists working for someone they closed
the doors without any notice. While most employers will take care of advertising and marketing, you will still have a large role to play in creating a successful business. You may still be taking a risk by taking a job with some employers who are not very business savvy or interested in helping you to advance and make more money. The company may go out of business itself and leave you stranded without a paycheck. Doing your research about the company before accepting a job can reduce the chances of this happening, but nothing can really guarantee your future with the company.
Finding a place to work with higher pay and added benefits such as vacation pay, sick pay, health care insurance and profit sharing is possible if you take the initiative to find one or create one.
