The Career

Massage therapy is a growing profession. In most towns and cities in the west, fully qualified remedial massage therapists are in great demand, often booking clients weeks in advance. In some communities, many therapists are not accepting new clients at all.

Therapeutic massage is a component of self-care and wellness promotion, and enjoys an increasing acceptance as a way to reduce pain, restore flexibility, and speed recovery from injury.

The income possibilities for massage therapists vary, with fees ranging from $60 to more than $100 for a 60-minute massage. A sustainable practice will be limited to 4-6 massages per day, and of course overhead varies greatly depending on location and the need for marketing.

Overall, massage is a very satisfying profession. Clients are usually very positive and appreciative, and stress levels are low. Many of our students and graduates are parents who appreciate the flexibility of being  self-employed, especially when children are young.

It's also a great second career. We get lots of students from high-stress careers, looking for more balance in their lives, portable skills for travel, an end to shift work, or a chance to run their own business.

Many therapists are self-employed

Massage therapy graduates can be self-employed or work for others in a clinic setting. Potential employment can be found in:

  • A clinic or health centre shared with other healthcare professionals (e.g., physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, or sports trainers)
  • Health spas or sports clubs
  • Sports massage centres
  • Corporate and industrial work sites

Being an employee can be an advantage early in the career, but experienced massage therapists typically make a better income by being entrepreneurs. To help our students prepare, we cover business topics in the program.

Our instructors all have extensive business experience. Several own clinics; all are entrepreneurs and share their experiences with the students throughout the course. In second year, we have specific curriculum on succeeding in the business of massage.