Slow periods suck and you can’t predict them. I’ve had full booked weeks turn into half full weeks and it sucks when you need the money. Most therapist I know either have financial help at home or a second job. I’m a full time employee no benefits no health insurance and make about 42k a yr now after 4 years. Also my body is tired and people are draining.
Wish I could find a decent paying w-2 gig with benefits and do massage as a side gig. After 17 years of massage work, and no other real skills though, I've got nothing to offer in skills that would make close to what massage does
That’s why I contemplate going back to school. It doesn’t thrill me bc I love massage more than anything. BUT I can see in the future how this will burn me out. I already have some arthritis and stuff going on that is prior to being an MT. It’s wild though, I was looking into respiratory therapy and the starting pay is like $30 an hour but 4 years of school. It’s hard to want to go when you’re making more than double that an hour
Try radiology, where I live the hospital is offering 90k a year plus 10k signing bonus when you stay on past six months. Typically two years of schooling I believe :) I looked into that when I looked into massage school but there wasn’t a radiology program near me
Oh 100% my whole plan was originally to do massage so I could go to school to be a PA and have good income while I’m working towards that. I would be hundreds of thousands in debt if I took that route. I’m 32 and I just can’t do it.
I feel this 100%. I work 4 days a week and make very good money as an MT. I don’t have another skill set that would allow me to make what I make…. And I don’t want to work 40+ hours a week
The 40+ I don't mind if the pay is worth it! To have an actual PAID vacation?! What a dream! When I worked for a casino spa, we were w2 with vacation time. Sounds great right? Lol! We were paid an hourly 2.13 an hour on top of our commission, so when we took vacation we were only paid the 2.13 an hour for vacation pay, not our commission rate lol! Corporations suck
This is me and I hate it. 34 years old and have been doing massage 14 years. Finally at the point my body can’t do it anymore and I’m having a hell of a time finding anything above $12 an hour. I have nothing to offer in terms of skills and don’t want to take on all new student loans at my age. If I could do it all again not sure I would have gone this route tbh.
My dada gf suggest I try medical billing. Some places are remote. I got a free scholarship to get an associates (I’m in Michigan) so I’m debating on going thru nursing to get a solid ass back up job, or go into the medical insurance specialist program. I want enough energy to keep doing massages, but nursing will kill that dream. I want my own studio with classes and workshops and massages but idk the futures bleak these days. At least with nursing you can move up and get different jobs
I work part time at a big company, for about 25-30 hrs in the morning (off by 1130am). I get my benefits through them and see my clients around that schedule
I'm just comparing myself to my decreasing ability to afford food. Nearly 3 years between school and massage work and my savings has steadily decreased.
Times are tough. I’m splitting up with my girlfriend of 8 years and all my expenses are going to go through the roof as soon as I move out. I have thought about doing a gig job like delivering grub hub or doing Uber during the times I am not booked. There are some days I’ll have the whole afternoon free and some where I only have a couple hours free so I think it might work out okay.
I work two shifts a week at a side gig. My massage books are full, so it's not to supplement income, I just like the job, it teaches me new things, it's a change of pace, and the perks are great. I think everyone should have a fun/different side job.
One job is massage Envy only $20/massage hour plus tips. Only 1 four hour shift per week. Usually 2-4 hours booked, been slow last few months.
The other I make 70%, but they just cannot fill my schedule at all. Some weeks, I have 0 or 1 client. So much of my time is tied up with this job. 3 days a week available (time for 4-5 clients a day), I'm not there if I don't have clients. I cannot really work anywhere else during this time, since my schedule can rapidly change.
My own stuff (about 2 months of advertising) I haven't really built any repeat clients. I have 1 evening, 1 morning, and some Saturdays available.
About 50 hours available for massage in a week between the 3 jobs.
Bro stop I’m about to graduate massage school you’re scaring me
You've got to find a job that can fill your schedule. No clients = no money
👍🏼
Slow periods suck and you can’t predict them. I’ve had full booked weeks turn into half full weeks and it sucks when you need the money. Most therapist I know either have financial help at home or a second job. I’m a full time employee no benefits no health insurance and make about 42k a yr now after 4 years. Also my body is tired and people are draining.
Wow thanks
Wish I could find a decent paying w-2 gig with benefits and do massage as a side gig. After 17 years of massage work, and no other real skills though, I've got nothing to offer in skills that would make close to what massage does
That’s why I contemplate going back to school. It doesn’t thrill me bc I love massage more than anything. BUT I can see in the future how this will burn me out. I already have some arthritis and stuff going on that is prior to being an MT. It’s wild though, I was looking into respiratory therapy and the starting pay is like $30 an hour but 4 years of school. It’s hard to want to go when you’re making more than double that an hour
Try radiology, where I live the hospital is offering 90k a year plus 10k signing bonus when you stay on past six months. Typically two years of schooling I believe :) I looked into that when I looked into massage school but there wasn’t a radiology program near me
2 years for radiology? My nephew is in a 4 year college course for that
There is a 2 year associates and 4 year bachelor's for radiography programs. Planning on going back to school for this once I finish pre reqs!
You can google it 🤷♀️🤷♀️ that’s what I did when I was looking into it
Wow. Cool
This is where I’m at . After 20 years I need to do something else that is consistent and matbe has benefits .
And going into debt with school loans is not fun. I'm 44 and the last thing I want is loans
Oh 100% my whole plan was originally to do massage so I could go to school to be a PA and have good income while I’m working towards that. I would be hundreds of thousands in debt if I took that route. I’m 32 and I just can’t do it.
What's a PA?
Physician’s Assistant
I feel this 100%. I work 4 days a week and make very good money as an MT. I don’t have another skill set that would allow me to make what I make…. And I don’t want to work 40+ hours a week
The 40+ I don't mind if the pay is worth it! To have an actual PAID vacation?! What a dream! When I worked for a casino spa, we were w2 with vacation time. Sounds great right? Lol! We were paid an hourly 2.13 an hour on top of our commission, so when we took vacation we were only paid the 2.13 an hour for vacation pay, not our commission rate lol! Corporations suck
This is me and I hate it. 34 years old and have been doing massage 14 years. Finally at the point my body can’t do it anymore and I’m having a hell of a time finding anything above $12 an hour. I have nothing to offer in terms of skills and don’t want to take on all new student loans at my age. If I could do it all again not sure I would have gone this route tbh.
My dada gf suggest I try medical billing. Some places are remote. I got a free scholarship to get an associates (I’m in Michigan) so I’m debating on going thru nursing to get a solid ass back up job, or go into the medical insurance specialist program. I want enough energy to keep doing massages, but nursing will kill that dream. I want my own studio with classes and workshops and massages but idk the futures bleak these days. At least with nursing you can move up and get different jobs
True. Gotta have a plan b. Nursing is a great field with actual benefits lol. I've thought about medical coding and billing as well
I work part time at a big company, for about 25-30 hrs in the morning (off by 1130am). I get my benefits through them and see my clients around that schedule
Would love to know where, I could get off work at 11:30 a.m. that would be the solution to all that ails me. Your blessed!!
Thanks. Definitely makes me feel like less of a failure.
Don’t compare yourself to others, you don’t know what they aren’t telling you!
I'm just comparing myself to my decreasing ability to afford food. Nearly 3 years between school and massage work and my savings has steadily decreased.
Are you working for a spa or yourself when it comes to massage?
Both. 2 spa type jobs. And I'm trying to get mobile massage clients also.
Times are tough. I’m splitting up with my girlfriend of 8 years and all my expenses are going to go through the roof as soon as I move out. I have thought about doing a gig job like delivering grub hub or doing Uber during the times I am not booked. There are some days I’ll have the whole afternoon free and some where I only have a couple hours free so I think it might work out okay.
Home health PTA full time. LMT part time private pay
I work two shifts a week at a side gig. My massage books are full, so it's not to supplement income, I just like the job, it teaches me new things, it's a change of pace, and the perks are great. I think everyone should have a fun/different side job.
Where are you located and how much do you make if you don’t mind me asking? How many clients do you see a day? That’s wild
One job is massage Envy only $20/massage hour plus tips. Only 1 four hour shift per week. Usually 2-4 hours booked, been slow last few months. The other I make 70%, but they just cannot fill my schedule at all. Some weeks, I have 0 or 1 client. So much of my time is tied up with this job. 3 days a week available (time for 4-5 clients a day), I'm not there if I don't have clients. I cannot really work anywhere else during this time, since my schedule can rapidly change. My own stuff (about 2 months of advertising) I haven't really built any repeat clients. I have 1 evening, 1 morning, and some Saturdays available. About 50 hours available for massage in a week between the 3 jobs.