After graduating, she started a part-time massage therapy business. Three years ago, she decided to make massage therapy a full-time career. Barbara continues to take massage classes and teaches at a nearby massage therapy school. There are between 120,000 and 150,000 massage therapists in the United States, according to the American Massage Therapy Association. Almost half work part time.
Many massage therapists are self-employed.
They pay for their own equipment, continuing education, and liability and health insurance. They may pay other expenses as well, such as transportation and office rental. Twenty-nine States and the District of Columbia require massage therapists to be licensed. Most of these States require at least 500 hours of classroom instruction at an accredited school. Many States, including Barbara s, require 1,000 hours of classroom training.