Massage Job Description

The Massage Job Description that is listed in the Occupational Outlook Handbook at the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics is very inaccurate and misleading.

Most massage therapists start their own business. Most massage jobs are also massage subcontractor positions which means that you will really be self employed.

The typical massage job description may look something like this for entry level jobs:

training in pathology of different diseases and conditions and ability to apply that to clients conditions
knowledge of anatomy and physiology and the ability to explain this in laymans terms
able to work with clients of all ages, genders and personalities
outstanding customer service and client care
ability to be with people who are in pain and maintain appropriate boundaries for healing.
able to work evenings and weekends
know how to talk to clients to help get repeat clients and also referrals (basically you will have to build your clientele even if you get a job in massage)
interview clients to obtain a health history and assess the clients condition and needs. (This will be key in building your business.)
dependable, respectable, compassionate
complete paperwork on clients as required
attend employee meetings
dress appropriately with no tatoos, piercings, blue hair and wear uniforms
Sell spa products or other health related products to clients

If you want to make more as a massage therapist you will need to take advanced training in either a few specific techniques or working with specific diseases and conditions. Becoming a sports massage therapist or oncology massage therapist require ongoing and extensive training. Having these extra skills will set you aside from others in the profession and you will be able to charge more for your services if you own your own business or you can make a higher hourly wage in a job.

An advanced massage job description would look more like this:

Extensive training and advanced skills in things like orthopedic massage, craniosacral therapy, structural integration methods so that you can learn more about assessing clients conditions. (You can not make a diagnosis as a massage therapist.)
Interact with clients to explain their various injuries and conditions to educate them as to why and how massage can help.
Write articles for your website to promote massage and your skills.
Offer free classes on stress or various diseases and conditions to the community
Speak at support groups for stress and health conditions
Learn to engage clients in their massage session and learn to be present yourself so you don't get bored doing massage.
Learn how to get and rebook clients. Even if you are an employee it is your responsibility to get and keep your clients coming in. It is in your hands -so to speak.

As a massage therapist with your own business you will need some of the following skills:

Business planning
Accounting and bookkeeping to keep track of your income, expenses and taxes so that you can run a profitable business.
Invest in your business by enrolling in the Chamber of Commerce or other community groups
Write or Speak about massage on a community level
Create a website that is educational for potential massage clients
Learn how to get clients to rebook.
Work with clients to achieve better health

Because massage jobs are a fairly new concept many massage employers don't know what massage therapists really do. You may be able to create your own massage job description and sell your unique skills and knowledge to potential employers and create better jobs for the future of the massage profession.