Masseur Wages-Is This A Reasonable Projection?

[+ Gar1eth]

I was driving by a medical office building the other day, and there was a sign out for (legitimate) massage at $50. I think the massage described was either for 45 minutes or an hour. I started thinking about massage wages.

 

Does this seem like a reasonable scenario for an established masseur/masseuse

1. Maybe 5 massage clients a day = $250

2. A five day work week = $1250/week

3. Working 50 weeks a year = $62,500/year

 

I realize the massage professional whose sign I saw might very well be employed and not receive the total $50 dollars per massage or might work for themselves but have to rent massage space. But I could readily imagine an independent massage practitioner with a good reputation making a lot more-depending on the size of the city. And if they massaged at their home, they'd take in even more.

 

And then thinking about desirable guys in large cities who offer (non-escort) erotic massage with the concomitantly higher fees, well it boggles (my) the imagination.

 

Gman

[maninsoma]

If masseurs in medical offices are compensated like the trainers at my (chain) gym, they are lucky if they get 1/3 of what the customer pays. I also think that doing five therapeutic massages per day, five days per week would be exhausting. A light body rub isn't that taxing, but a deep tissue massage requires a lot of effort on the part of the masseur.

 

Like you wrote, I assume that an in-demand erotic masseur who works out of a room in his own residence can probably make quite a nice living.

[+ Gar1eth]

If masseurs in medical offices are compensated like the trainers at my (chain) gym, they are lucky if they get 1/3 of what the customer pays.

 

YIKES!!!

 

May one ask what the rate for trainers at your gym is?

 

Gman

[+ MasssageGuy]

The cost of masseur training runs around $12,000 in Florida and takes about 8 months. Not a trivial expense for sure. The places offering training are typically privately run. Many schools are similar, unfortunately, to ITT which just went broke and ripped off students. Locating a reputable school is a challenge.

 

That being said, yes the "house" typically takes two thirds of the fee. That is why gratuities are SO appreciated by massage therapists.

 

Most guys in the profession have studios in their homes in order to eliminate the "sharing" that is required when they work in a spa.

[Meo]

Most guys in the profession have studios in their homes in order to eliminate the "sharing" that is required when they work in a spa.

This has been my experience, or they do outcalls. In addition to the lost money, badly run spas and studios can drive customers away and the best masseurs can often retain customers for their private practice. And those who do actual associate's degrees in massage therapy at private school can spend many times $12K. It's a real financial burden on some great guys who got into the profession with less knowledge about what the cost/benefit analysis would be.

[+ sniper]

I know at Paradise in NYC they punch in on a time clock when they come in. I assume they get an hourly wage plus something for each massage if they're doing that. But maybe the place just gives them an hourly wage and tips are the only extra they get? I haven't asked.

[+ not2rowdy]

There’s a masseur running an ad in Vegas with a comment that it’s not legal for him to conduct massage out of his home but it is legal to go to the client’s home. I don’t know the validity of that statement. And it may vary by state. But I can see where it would easily get him involved in the business license, homeowner association, health department and government oversight issues quickly - along with associated taxes and fees.

 

I don’t think either the 5 clients per day or $50/hr are valid entering arguments for your calculations.

 

Past comments by my therapist indicate he feels he’s had a very successful day if he sees three clients in a day. But his fee is more than $50/hr. It’s also very much a feast or famine cycle. Probably highly influenced by the phase of the moon.

[+ Gar1eth]

There’s a masseur running an ad in Vegas with a comment that it’s not legal for him to conduct massage out of his home but it is legal to go to the client’s home.

I always ass-umed that this was the case regarding massage at most masseur's apartments. I mean I don't think any apartment I've ever lived in would legally allow someone to set up a business. Plus I'm sure if it were a 'formal' business you'd need some type of liability insurance in case a client stubbed his toe-of anything else while inside the masseur's residence. As for running it out of your own home, some of the same concerns would apply except for apartment management substitute neighbors who are unhappy with the 'constant' stream of strange cars in the neighborhood.

 

Gman

[+ sniper]

Yes, homeowners insurance excludes all liability arising out of a business. Apartment complexes generally don't want to deal with that. If you own your own home it's different, but there's also some hassle involved in terms of getting insurance and potentially zoning issues. There was one masseur I saw in his apartment which was in my hometown but not long after that he got an office for incalls - guess the neighbors complained.

[+ MasssageGuy]

As with most professions, if you join a professional association, they typically have liability insurance for said profession at a reasonable cost.

 

https://www.abmp.com/massage-liability-insurance

 

I typically find my therapists on Masseurfinder.com. I've used the site successfully for many years and it comes in handy when I'm on consulting gigs when I travel.

[Meo]

There was one masseur I saw in his apartment which was in my hometown but not long after that he got an office for incalls

I think this is the hard part of the calculation for guys who are doing fairly brisk volume. Large numbers of in-calls to a private home may attract undue, unwelcome attention. Renting an office or studio for one worker can be expensive. Outcalls require a lot of travel. A possible option is renting a table in a spa or wellness center that does not do much other massage. Then the worker is responsible for a set rent but keeps all surplus. One of the best workers I ever saw rented a table in what was primarily an acupuncture practice--he did all the massage there and largely got to set his own hours within the times the acupuncture practice was open. It basically functioned as a private practice subsidy--the rent was not easy, but he made a lot more than a typical worker at a chain or other spa.