Massage therapists help make their clients feel better by applying their training to relax the soft-tissue muscles of the body through various touch techniques. This helps people rehabilitate injuries, reduce pain levels, promote better circulation while leading to a reduction in stress. Massage therapy also helps relax muscles and leads to a better sense of overall well-being. Overall job prospects for those in massage therapy are bright, as the demand for their services looks to increase in 2016 and beyond.
Growing Demand for Massage Therapists
The United State Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of massage therapists will rise by 23 percent between 2012 and 2022, with approximately 30,000 jobs being created during that time period. California is the state with the most massage therapists, with 11,940 employed within state borders.
Florida has the second highest employment level at 7,010 followed by Texas at 5,290, Arizona at 4,700 and Washington at 4,330. The highest concentration of massage therapists can be found in Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, Washington and Alaska, implying that those states feature more competition for massage therapist jobs than other locations.
The industry that employs the largest number of massage therapists is the personal care service industry, followed by offices of health practitioners, travel accommodations, amusement and recreation, and medical and surgical hospitals.
Who’s Getting Hired?
If you work in a state that requires a license to work as a massage therapist, you must complete courses that teach you the craft before you pass a state licensing exam. Many states use one of the two nationally recognized licensing exams, which include the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Depending on the job that you’re applying for, you may need to pass a background check and complete courses to receive certification in CPR.
Joining a professional groups, such as the American Massage Therapy Association, greatly benefits those working in the field. Members receive access to an entire community dedicated to their work including links to education and other opportunity to progress in the field.
Building connections and gathering referrals for new clients is a vital part when beginning in the industry, as a considerable amount of work that’s performed is on a freelance basis. Networking leads to a steadier stream of work and the possibility to uncover better opportunities to grow your career.
Learn the Art of Massage Therapy at Avenue Five
Do you want to become a massage therapist and be your own boss? We at have the right program. Our 900-hour Advanced Massage Therapy program is unique because it provides comprehensive training across a broad spectrum of massage modalities.
In our hands-on and student focused learning environment, you will explore subjects such as anatomy and physiology, bodywork, and business building skills.
Contact us today for more information about our massage therapy program or to schedule a tour of our campus.