Current Massage Therapy Industry Demand

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the massage therapy industry is an $18 billion industry and continues to grow. According to the AMTA consumer survey, an average of 21% of adult Americans received at least one massage in a spa in the last year.

The demand for massage therapy is growing and more people are relying on massage spa franchises for their expertise, reliability, and ease of access to other spa services. The spa franchise industry is mainstream, stable, and growing rapidly.

A Growing Industry

The increase in demand for massage therapy is evident, and it appears consumers place massage therapy high on their list of priorities. In the year prior to the AMTA consumer survey, participants received an average of 4.4 massages. Survey participants say they received an average of 12.7 massages in the previous five years.

The survey also found that most consumers consider massage therapy to be a necessity rather than a luxury. According to the AMTA survey, 86% of participants view massage as being beneficial to overall health and wellness. Of those surveyed, 87% believe that massage can be effective in reducing pain.

Why Do People Get a Massage?

The days of seeing massage as only a way to pamper and relax are over. While massage therapy does exactly that, consumers flock to massage spas for more reasons now. They see massage therapy as a benefit to their health, an all-important way to manage stress, and a treatment for chronic pain. According to the AMTA:

• As many as 71% of consumers believe massage therapy should be considered a form of health care.
• Meanwhile, 78% of consumers surveyed claim the primary reason for receiving their last massage was medical (52%) or stress related (26%).
• About 30% of consumers used massage as a form of pain relief.
• Up to 29% of those surveyed say their doctor encouraged them to receive a massage.
• Additionally, 35% of consumers considered massage therapy as an alternative to opioids or other prescription pain relievers.

Growth with the Population

As the American population ages, so does the demand for massage therapy. Millennials are growing up in an age where healthcare is a priority, and they see massage therapy as a part of that. In addition, more baby boomers are turning to massage therapy to help with ailments brought on by age.

Baby boomers have no desire to slow down, and they recognize that massage therapy helps keep them on the move. According to the AMBP, massage therapy has numerous benefits for baby boomers:

• Improves range of motion and decreases low-back pain.
• Releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, thereby reducing the need for medications.
• Eases pain due to arthritis by increasing circulation around joints, bringing healing oxygen and nutrients to rebuild tissue.
• Improves the appearance and condition of skin through increased circulation.
• Reduces swelling and scar tissue.

Massage Therapy Careers

As massage therapy increases in popularity, so does the need for skilled massage therapists. The number of massage therapists in the United States has more than doubled over the past two decades.

According to a survey by the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), a national membership association for massage and bodywork professionals, there were approximately 334,219 massage therapists in the United States in 2019. That was a 1.6% growth rate from 2016’s estimate of 328,799 massage therapists.

The demand for trained, professional massage therapists will increase over the next decade. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 22% from 2018 to 2028. That’s much faster than the average for all occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates this demand will likely increase as more healthcare providers understand the benefits of massage and these services become part of treatment plans.

Our goal is to help you find a job as a massage therapist after you graduate. You can either work for an employer in a variety of environments, such as spas and hospitals, or establish your own business.

Many students from our school start their own business as massage therapists. If you ever want to be your own boss, you don’t need to look further. Come to visit us and see how we can help your dream come true. The following are some possible careers of graduates from our school:

1. Massage Therapy Practitioners
2. Massage Therapy Instructors
3. Massage Therapy Consultants
4. Private Massage Therapy Business Owners
5. Hospital
6. Chiropractor office
7. Hospice workers
8. Nursing home

                                        Student Entrepreneurship Corner

Our featured graduate, Laeken Hess, set up her business, Laekhaus in Racine.



Delany Ott, our proud graduate, works at her family business, Aalto Enhancement Center.



Jacob Parenteau, our featured graduate, works at Caledonia Chiropractic.