Florida Survey Profiles Massage Therapists

Just-released results of a statewide survey provide a snapshot of the profile, work settings, income and therapies used by massage therapists in Florida.

The survey reveals that the average licensed massage therapist in Florida is a white, non-Hispanic female between the ages of 35 and 54 who has been licensed for less than five years.

Nearly 40 percent of respondents have been licensed for less than five years, with over 65 percent licensed for 10 years or less.

Among other results:

• More than 80 percent of respondents grossed less than $40,000 in 2005, with about half making less than $20,000. Approximately 10 percent grossed between $40,000 and $60,000 in 2005. During a typical week, 60 percent of respondents worked 20 hours or less, while almost 38 percent worked over 20 hours.

• For therapists who work in just one setting, “out calls” was the most frequent response, with about 18 percent spending all of their work time doing out-calls. Approximately 11 percent of respondents work exclusively in a massage clinic or center, 9 percent in a spa or salon, 8 percent in a medical facility, and 1 percent in a gym or fitness center.

• Half of respondents are self-employed for the majority of the massage therapy they perform. Nearly one-quarter are employed by an individual or a corporation; 18 percent are employed as an independent contractor, and 7 percent own a massage-therapy establishment.

• The three massage techniques performed most often are: deep-tissue massage (38 percent); Swedish massage (28 percent); and neuromuscular therapy (15 percent).

The survey was conducted on behalf of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy in conjunction with the Florida State Massage Therapy Association. It was sent to the 23,553 active, licensed massage therapists in the state. Thirty percent of the surveys were returned and deemed useable for tabulation purposes.

— For more information: the Florida State Massage Therapy Association; www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/massage. To read the entire report: www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/massage/info_surveyresults.pdf#search=%22massage%22