a community of practitioners

I'm taking a survey , Please participate

New Therapists.... I listen all the time to the ups and downs of this profession.

I hear those that are extremely satisfied and those that complain because they
are not making what they were promised. I hear complaints about employers, clients, challenges etc.

Here's a few questions for you

1. What do you "EXPECT" to make as a massage therapist
2. How long do you think it will take to build a private practice
3. If you plan on working for someone, what might you expect as benefits or perks or incentives?

Also, feel free to share any other information you'd like for me to know. Remember to tell me what state you live in too. Thanking you in advance.

I've also attached a link to a full survey. Please pass it on. Results are being posted on the discussion forum!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on October 28, 2009 at 9:35pm

I am in Pensacola, FL. When I was in school, the school stressed that we would be making loads of money. One of my instructors kept saying the way to go is PIP Insurance Billing. What I discovered about him is that he was frauding the insurance companies out of thousands and thousands of dollars, as I was one of his clients do to a rear end accident that happened while I was in school. He was billing the insurance company for massages he was not giving. Sad. I took this to my attorney, and also the Chiro he worked for. He lost his job in the end. The new business he tried to build after this closed.

When I worked for Mike Hinkle at the Pensacola Massage Center, the split was 50/50 on most services, some were more, others were less. What that basically came out to was $25 an hour. I also helped with laundry/ cleaning etc, as I like to be busy. When I was a student, Mike let me do free massages at the center to gain experience once I finished swedish. He did not charge me anything and let me use the supplies at the center. I did this 2 days a week until I graduated, and then began full time until I was licensed in Feb, 2008. I made my first dollar on Valentines Day 2008.

Now, I am employeed and love where I work. Base pay is $7.25 for sitting and waiting, $15-40 an hour depending on the service for massaging. Most of the time I earn $30 an hour. I also have discounts because of my employement, one being Free Registration to the World Massage Conference, which I am registered for, $50 discount on AMBP if I decide to join, which I am seriously considering, 15% discount on my cell phone, and 15% discount if I buy a new Dell Computer which I plan to do here soon. I work part-time, 19 hours a week as an employee. There is a full benefit package available for those who work 30 hours or more a week. Also, massages to the employees are 75% discounted. What that means in dollars is, I receive a 90 minute massage for $28.50. I have also received many free massages from the owners as a gift. So that is always nice, yet not expected. We also receive a free massage in our birthday month. Everything is State of the Art, electric tables. towel warmers in every room, a computerized booking system with a computer in the Therapist break room. Laundry is sent out with National Linen Service. I do help with the cleaning even though it is not expected of me. All supplies are provided. The owners are really nice folks and I truly enjoy working for them. I am grateful I have a job as I did not go to massage school until I was 51.

I am also building my business in the mean time. Those who come to me I charge $50 and hour, Outcalls I charge $75. I do have one client whom I see each week and travel 40 miles round trip. He does tip me well for coming to him.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on November 3, 2009 at 10:24pm

Thank you so much for doing this for the industry!

Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on November 3, 2009 at 10:25pm

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=OhBtGlEETUWwi9h5olkCGQ_3d_3d

Permalink Reply by Ramilton Franco on November 10, 2009 at 5:29pm

my answers.

1. my range is $30,000 to $45,000 a year.
2. being a male therapist and starting in an area that has lots of competition and only working part-time. I think that 2 years is reasonable.
3. i expect a flexible schedule, comissions and free use of facilities if it's a gym.