How much $$?

[LadyCatherine]

I actually have 2 questions.  I am curious how much it costs in everyone's area to get massage and what they personally charge.And leading into that...does anyone know how day spas usually pay you?  By the hour, by the treatment?  Because I am waiting to see if I have a job at one, and I was told I'd make $8 and hour....isn't that low?Any help is appreciated!

 

[Queen of America]

How much $$?

I think around here, the average is $60/hr. I live in Austin TX. You are joking about that $8/hr at the spa right? If you are not, that is really ridiculous. I used to work at a country club (not doing massages) and they were charging up to $125 for their massages. Check it out at http://www.bartoncreek.com Anyways, yeah I guess you just get a perceneforum.xxxe of the cost of the massage. But $8/hr?? Don't even work there!!!

 

[POTUS]

How much $$?

I agree with Chris...That $8.00 an hour is a total rip off :'(. Many moons ago, when I worked in the Spa, they charged 60. for 1hr. Masso., and I was paid 20. hour whether I was working on a client or not, plus tips.

 

[Jb2]

Chris and Betti,Thanks for the quick replies.  I wish I were joking.  That is what I was told I would make.  I guess I would also get a gratuity for each one, but still, too low for me.They charge $60 for a one hour massage.  I live in Illinois by the way.  Maybe that has something to do with the low pay? ???sigh.

 

[mellodramatic911]

I'm in Ohio a similar demographic to Il and $8 is NOT the norm. There are opportunities (if you can call them that) to make little money in massage. In Cleveland the Jewish Community Center pays their therapists $6 an hour.  When I was in school some of my co-students worked there for the experience, they said the tips were awful though. Oh, and they did get full use of the facility for free.However, the norm is at least $20 an hour per massage.I work at a communicy rec center and I get $30 per 1 hour and $20 for each 1/2 hour massage.Are you still a student? Is that maybe why they undervalue your time?Do not take that job! And call them back and tell them they are cheap!

 

[windy gurl]

Okay, I've lived in a few different states and have worked as a massage therapist in all of them.  Pay scales vary widely.  The best determination is to see how much they charge for the massage and what perceneforum.xxxe you get from that.  Do you think it's fair?  How many massages will you need to do to make what you want to make, or what you think your work is worth.  Just as an overview, some spas will hire you as an independent contractor, you make you hours, pay your own taxes, etc.  Typically, independent contractors will make a straight 50% of the treatment cost (or somewhere near there).  If you're an employee, the newest trend in resort spas is to pay a flat rate per treatment which is what I'm hearing from some of the other postings.  Many day spa employees will pay you a hourly (usually minimum or close to it), just to sit around for your shift plus a perceneforum.xxxe of the treatment cost.  Here the perceneforum.xxxe can range from 20 - 40%.  So it depends what you really want/need.  I personally take a few perceneforum.xxxe points lower than I typically made because I get benefits and paid vacation.  That stuff is work plenty if you need to pay for it out of pocket.  Also, tips are extra regardless of your set-up with your employer.  Hope that helps.  Just remember your work is work much more than $8.00/hr.  I don't care what anyone says.  That's really an insult and if you choose not to take the job, you should tell them that.  I hope better offers find you soon.  All my best, Joe E

 

[londonism21]

Vancisin and Joe, Everyone here is so nice.  Thanks for your replies.I am still a student.  I have 7 weeks left.  They knew that and asked me to come apply anway (I vaguely know the spa director).  My school is having a hissy fit.  The only draw I can immediately see is that if I do take this job, I will be trained in all the spa treatments they offer.  I would also get half of my continuing ed paid for in the future.  I think I must be missing something along the way...perhaps they also pay commission??  The owner has been unclear.  I have been trying to reach the director and owner both to clarify this.I really appreciate the good advice.  Thank you both again. ;D

 

[Alix C.]

I've got an update.... I found out that I will not get a commission or anything, just $8 an hour and tips.  I have 2 kids and would have to get yet another sitter for them at night.  So I called them and said no thanks.If I were in a different situation I may have done it just to be trained for spa therapies.  But I haven't been going to school to make $8 an hour.  Thanks everyone for the advice. ;D

 

[KeithOtron]

I live in Hickory, NC and the norm around here is $60/hr. You should at least make a good perceneforum.xxxe of that where ever you work.  I make 70% of my massages and the other 30% goes toward power & rent for my part.The reason it's like that is because the chiropractor I work for pays for ads and supplies for me.   Good luck on finding something!!!

 

[SweetCountryLily]

Thanks Mel!  I have another number to call.  It would be great to work at this particular place because it's about 5 minutes from my house and 2 doors down from my daughter's daycare.

 

[Rosebud]

$8 an hour is not fair at all. I worked at a Spa and received 50% of the fee per service. And I was just out of school at the time and didn't know alot about the spa services. I learned on the job. Pass on this one.  And keep looking. Best of Luck Lynda

 

[Jovita]

Lynda, Thanks.  I told them I wasn't interested and they were shocked.  They said any student would jump at the chance.  Not this one! ;D

 

[Fuzzy]

They can say whatever they want to help them sleep at night.  Don't bother with it another moment.  The offer was completely unacceptable and I'm so happy to see that you rejected it.  It infuriates me when I hear of situations like these but they are unfortunately a factor of the business.  The problem is that there is a therapist out there who will say yes, and that keeps us all down.  Congratulations, and I mean that sincerly.  Joe E.

 

[TWIGGY2]

Thanks Joe!One of the reasons I chose to study massage therapy was the choices available for where and how you want to work.  I'm so glad I had this board to come to for help.

 

[Heywood Jablowmi]

How much $$?

I'm just visiting today but feel I should comment.  Sorry for the length but I think it is important.

I'm a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist in Northern Michigan 3 years running Independent contractor.  Here the charges are $50 -$88 for the same 1 hour service weather it is a home visit, office visit, deep tissue or relaxation.  Stone massage is $100 -$125.  The spas charge on the higher end and individuals charge the lesser fee.  I work out of a Wellness Center in a resort, for most of the work I do there they charge $80 and pay $35 about 43% plus tips which are very good there usually $10 -$20.  They do laundry and provide all the need supplies.  I also work in a Beauty Salon that is just getting it's feet wet.  I supply sheets and oils and get 70% plus tips but right now we are only charging $50 an hour due to lack of clientele.  I also work out of a Tanning Salon where I get 60% plus tips in a high traffic area and they charge $60 an hour.  I also do home visits for $60 an hour if they are less than 45 minutes from my home.  Most Therapist in my are a charge $85 an hour for home visits and most do tip me the extra $20 but many people that need therapy can not afford the $60 let alone $80.  With all this going on I still have weeks where there is no work.  

To any student just breaking into the business to work for a spa, don't kid yourself if you are going to do anything other than fluff and buff you will wear out your joint in no time flat.  As business owners will take advaneforum.xxxe of you and will work you for next to no pay until you are used up.  They just see massage as a cash cow, most business do and if we let them run us over they will.  We have a spa here that charges $88 and the Therapist get $18 and unless they leave a cash tip the tip goes to the company.  The clients are told that there is an18% gratuity included in the hourly fee but the therapist never sees this.  

My new rule:
Once the $40 tips started trickling in from people who get regular massage at home and see me when on vacation I made a general policy for future employment situations. My general rule is 60 % where I only supply myself, they have clean looking sheets and they already have regular clientele. 70% if they do not have clients or I have to supply sheets or do laundry, 80% if I supply the table.  I  keep 100% of home visits.  The Beauty Salon feels entitled to a perceneforum.xxxe of home visits and tips. (ain't ganna happen) I don't know what planet they think they are on but it is not mine.  When I called them on it and said absolutely not they backed down.  Mind you, they have do not have a massage client list already in place.  

Massage Therapist work very hard for their $$ and they are the only ones that have the training they do.  This is not a regular job that you can do 40 hours a week.  The most I can physically do is 20-25 if it is spread out.  Never apologize for making good money doing massage therapy.  Never expect a pittance or a pittance is what you will get.  It has also been my experience that freebies don't come back as business or referrals but you make $10-$30 from the tips they leave.   If you are just starting out and need to build confidence you can start with a 2 or 3 week special and give massages for tips and do better than $8 an hour easy.  If it were as easy as flipping burgers everyone would be doing it.  I didn't learn massage to make burger-flipping money.   Burger flippers here make $10 an hour.

There is an article in the Summer 2002 American Massage Therapy Association Journal page 102 on a $900,000 a year business in Detroit MI and what compensation there therapist get.  If I recall correctly it is $13 an hour.  I do not feel that is enough but they do offer health insurance.  The article in not available on there web site but you could probably find a copy of it in any office that is a member of the AMTA.  Hope this has been enlightening.

 

[Jamal of Babylon]

Julee,Thanks for the reply.  I am glad you brought up how to split things because I have an opportunity right now for a 60/40 arrangement, but from your comments I'm going to rethink it, since they only supply the room.I usually go pick up the AMTA and ABMP mags at the local bookstore, and they are a great resource.  I will have to find that article.I agree with your stance on being paid.  I'm frustrated with the way businesses are run in my area, but I also know that I'm not seasoned enough yet to know the ins and outs.  That's why I come here!

 

[KitariSan]

How much $$?

I think I've posted this somewhere else but the spa I work at pays 50% of the cost of service. They provide linens, oils, table, advertising, etc. I do my own laundry and have to put in time answering the phone and booking appointments (without getting paid). I get 60% if a client rebooks. It was great starting out but now that I've got a lot of regulars, I'm leaving the spa and going out on my own. Here the going rate for a massage is anywhere from $35 to $60 an hour. At the spa we charge $45/hr. This area is very conservative and most people I work on have never had a massage. It is becoming more and more popular so prices are on the rise. Anyway, 50% was great starting out because I didn't need the money and wanted the experience. Now, it isn't worth it. You have to weigh all the factors and see if it measures up for you and it can and will change.

 

[Agalloch]

Hello everyone.  This is the first time I've logged on here, and see some great ideas, and confidence boosting efforts for all massage therapists chatting here.  I am honored to be among this profession.  I am an Oregon Licensed Massage Therapist, and have been in private practice for about 9 years now.  We all experience the same joy of success and crushing defeats as we make our way in practicing this incredible life-affirming, healing therapy.  Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say hello, and tell you about what is going on here.  Because LMTs are so very split in Oregon, many believe in the benefits of and exclusively offer cash therapy services (spa services are becoming increasingly popular here as well).  However, where our profession is heading (like it or not) is in Medical  Massage Therapy--getting those referrals from Medical Doctors for injury recovery and in relieving symptoms of various pathologies (oncology massage is our newest).  Offering these services cost an incredible amount of time and out-of-pocket expenses, but offer the most lucrative career choice going--when you know the rules of the game.  I just happen to be Oregon's leading "expert" in Medical Massage, and have published a popular book about it, so if any of you would like to ask me questions, I will happily answer.  And yes, I totally agree that in today's economy, the offers employers give LMTs (whether experienced or not) is extremely insulting.  What most don't know or even consider, is that our training is the SAME here in Oregon as early Physical Therapists and current Registered Nurses, who are earning $50,000 to $80,000 annually.  Quite the discrepancy in pay, wouldn't you agree, for the same education requirements.

 

[Sellasie]

Hey there. In Atlanta, the norm is $65 per hour of Swedish massage. Housecalls and "eliter" spas are higher.  I am currently at $65 per hour within a 15 mile radius of my homebase. After about two years, I may increase the price.I think what you really have to consider is whether you are an independent contractor or employee of where you want to work. There are two different things, apples and oranges. I hope you have done some research on the different kinds of employment, as it can make a difference on your earning potential. Doing chair massages at companies is really great, but being a 1099 independent contractor can tax heavily on your ventures. And plus all of the liability and contract agreements! wheee! You have to find out what works best for you.Most importantly, do not accept less than your worth. If you are secure and comfortable in your abilities, than it definitely ain't worth $8/hr. Improving on the well-being of others is invaluable.Red

 

[Jassy]

I find the $8/hour an incredible insult to anyone with Massage Therapy training.  Here in Oregon, other licensed healthcare service professionals with the same educational requirements as Licensed Massage Therapists are being paid annual salaries of $50,000 to $80,000.  How would those other licensed healthcare service providers react if an employer offered them a position paying $8/hour?If LMTs keep accepting pittance, none of us progress professionally.