Some people enter massage school to help others through healing touch. Some attend massage school to work in a particular field, such as sports medicine or in a spa setting. Others receive massage training to fulfill a different ambition. They want:

¨ Owning your own business

¨ Be your own boss

make a lot of money

The massage industry is not immune to capitalist instincts. Nor should it be.

Many massage schools take advantage of the earning potential of a career as a massage therapist. Income projections for a good massage therapist range from $50 to $75 per hour. That translates to around $65,000-$100,000 a year depending on the number of customers served each day. This also requires you to work independently and manage your own client base.

As attractive as a six-figure salary for providing massage therapy may be, the reality is that the median income for a massage therapist is $35,000. Many massage therapists only work part-time, and some work at spas or health clubs as employees or subcontractors. Apparently the vast amount of money in massage therapy goes to those who own their own business and practice full time.

So can you make a lot of money as a massage therapist?

It is definitely possible to make a pretty decent living as a massage therapist. But don’t expect to get rich right out of massage school. You’ll have to build a pretty significant customer base and that doesn’t happen overnight. Many new massage therapists go to work at a spa or health club to gain experience and build a reputation. Others perform massages for a very low fee or even for free just to get some insight into their capabilities. It can be slow once a therapist is on their own and quite a few massage therapists leave it as a full time venture from the start.

As in any business, it’s usually the person who works the hardest and provides the best service who succeeds. It takes patience and perseverance to build a business from scratch. Some decent business skills are also needed. A self-employed massage therapist must be prepared to spend time managing financial records, keeping licenses up to date, filing taxes properly, and treating their massage therapy practice like the business enterprise that it is.

If starting from scratch and taking the slow road to success isn’t appealing, you may want to consider boosting your massage business by investing in a massage franchise. For just $39,000, you can become the proud owner of a Massage Envy franchise.

Massage Envy is an exciting new franchise that currently has 101 units in operation with a total of 274 franchised units awarded. The company offers a recognized brand name, training program and ongoing support for franchisees. Each Massage Envy clinic offers a variety of massage modalities and is open 7 days a week. As the owner, I would employ several massage therapists. Heck, you don’t even have to be a massage therapist to have a massage business like this.

There is no doubt that the demand for massage is growing rapidly and the need for massage therapists will grow along with it. Those therapists with excellent massage skills, good business sense, and dedication to service can expect a comfortable life. Others may find satisfaction in helping others deal with pain and stress while earning a decent part-time income.