Is It Worth Studying Massage Therapy in the U.S.?

Are you considering a job in the field of massage therapy? Whether you live in or outside the United States, you can make great earnings through massage therapy. The trade is growing at a substantial rate in the country. According to the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association), the massage therapy industry is a continually growing industry that was worth $18 billion in 2018. Moreover, you may be having a vested interest in this field. And, in case you are outside of the United States, you might be wondering about the benefits of living and working in the U.S. as a licensed massage therapist.

Growing Number of Americans Receiving Massages

From July 2017 to July 2018, over 47.5 million adults in the U.S. received at least one massage. The increase in demand for massages has substantially affected the growth of the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field has a projected growth of 24 percent by 2026. If you compare this number to the average career’s expected growth of only 7 percent, this number is quite substantial.

Different Requirements in the U.S.

The growth of the industry in the U.S. could be attributed to the different requirements for massage therapists here. In the U.S., massage therapy is considered a trade. Still, some countries consider a licensed massage therapist a medical professional. Without the medical license in other countries, you cannot use the title. You are allowed to perform massages, but not be an LMT. This means that more hours of training and stricter requirements are a must before practicing in other countries.

Faster Entry into the Labor Force

The requirements to be a licensed massage therapist range from country to country. Hence, it’s very difficult to rank schools from the United States with Canada for example. Furthermore, in the U.S., you may want to enter the field of medical massage with less training hours. Moreover, this may result in spending less money out from your pocket and a faster move into the labor force. Hence, it’s a great decision to make. Just as is with medical doctors that their skills and training vary, medical massage is no different. The United States has a lower license cost per year with dues around $100 a year. Similarly, in Canada, they range from $500 to $1,000, plus the cost of liability insurance.

Are U.S. Schools Well Rated?

There are many well-rated schools in the United States. One of the top schools in the country is the National Holistic Institute in California. Another high ranking school is the Myotherapy College of Utah.

The majority of best-rated massage therapy schools are located in California. If you need help deciding where to study, CareersWiki provides a list of top massage therapy schools in California.

The normal time to complete training in medical massage is 30 weeks. So, it’s important to consider the costs of the training, plus the specializations they offer.

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median income of $41,420 a year for a massage therapist, you can specialize in other areas to increase your pay. Make sure to consult with the potential school to see if they offer specialties within their programs. These programs could take longer, but you could end up with a potentially higher income.

If you are considering studying medical massage in the United States, it’s important to look into the requirements and specialties that are offered. The field is a fast-growing area with a lot of potentials. With less training than other countries, you can enter this field much faster than other careers, since it is considered a trade in the U.S.

The increase in growth has also lead to higher competition for high-end positions at spas that tend to offer higher pay rates and clients who leave a more generous gratuity. Due to the short training programs, medical massage is sometimes a second career for individuals. This field has a growing potential in the United States.

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