Do massage therapists get paid well & what do you have to do for college?

well im 17 years old and a jr in high school and ive been wondering if that could be a job i would like? i would just like a little more info about it?Do massage therapists get paid well %26amp; what do you have to do for college?
Contact your state's health and human services department (or equivalent). A web search will get you started in the right direction. Look for a Board of Massage Therapy (or equivalent) within this organization to determine the credential(s) needed to practice in your state. Each state is going to be different. Then, search for massage schools in your state, contact them and begin asking questions. Talk with the director or manager of the school if possible. Having a discussion with this person will help you determine if this is the type of school you want to attend. In most situations, you can complete your schooling and have your credential to begin professional practice within a year. However, I HIGHLY recommend a continued path of education and degree track beyond massage school. First of all, being 19 years old (roughly) and trying to make a living as a start up massage therapist can be extremely difficult. Additional schooling including pre-med, pre-physical therapy, pre-chiropractic and nursing can be highly valuable to your ongoing development as a massage therapist. Even a business degree will give you a highly marketable advantage as time goes by. Massage therapy is a very rewarding career, but until you can develop consistent clientele and develop more mature people skills, you should also be earning a degree in something else as well. So many life skills are learned in a post-secondary degree track, that goes way beyond the academics. Plus, a part-time massage therapy job would be great income as you continue through college.Do massage therapists get paid well %26amp; what do you have to do for college?
Massage therapy requires at least 500 hours in a trade school, depending on your state, which is different than going to college. My program was 750 hours and took me one year to complete, although I will need 24 hours of continuing education every two years to keep my license, as per Illinois' requirements.





Not all states require a professional education, but it would be highly irresponsible to practice without one. If you update your question with your state, I would be happy to let you know what your local regulations are.





As far as the job market goes, it's looking up for massage therapists. Firstly, because massage is gaining a foothold of respectability within the medical community, and secondly, because fields that treat STRESS are very much needed in our present stress-producing economy. Keep in mind, though, that you will want to work in an area where you can expect to find people who make enough money to pay for this luxury service. Metropolitan areas will usually provide more work than rural ones, for example.





It's a very rewarding field, but remember that it isn't just fluff-and-buff. You have to learn an incredible amount about the human body: anatomy, pathology, kinesiology--not to mention ethics, business, and clinical reasoning. It's a health care profession, and involves lifelong studying. Know what you're getting into!
It's usually an associate's degree or a 500-1000 hour certificate program depending on the state you're in. You'll also have to take a national cert. test and then apply for a state license.


The money can be good, but it is mostly commission based...bad news in a bad economy. I enjoy it, but I really have to plan for the down times!
I know some people who have become certified under this program. No college involved.





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