Do licensed massage therapists make good money?

I hate to say this, but it does depend on your gender. I'd never hire a guy. Do licensed massage therapists make good money?
It's an honest living, but not a way to get rich. Working for a spa environment will net a massage therapist up to about 40% of the massage fee. Just for the sake of argument, let's say that the going rate for massage is $60/hr. (which is about average in my area).





That means that by working as an independent contractor for a spa, the MT would make approximately $24 per hour, out of which s/he would still have to pay taxes.





AMTA has established 17 - 22 hands on hours of massage per week to be full time. Anything beyond that could be injurious to the massage therapist.





So, if you work full time for a spa, you're bringing in less than $30K per year BEFORE taxes.





However, if a MT establishes his/her own practice and charges the same amount per massage, they would bring home about $68K per year, but bear in mind this amount is taxable, so take off 30% for taxes off the top for about $48K annually. However, it requires a great deal more paperwork and self discipline.





Personally, I can't imagine letting some spa take 40% of my pay, just for using their space. I'd rather pay rent and worry about my own business taxes. Do licensed massage therapists make good money?
yes, they do..anywhere from 50 to 100 dollars an hour..it does help being established