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Massage therapist

Alternative titles for this job include

Massage therapists manipulate clients' muscles and soft tissues, treat sports injuries, and give relief to people with health issues.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a massage therapist

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship

College

You could take a course at college that will give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Massage
  • Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapies
  • Level 3 Diploma in Complementary Therapies

The Council for Soft Tissue Therapies (GCMT) is the governing body for massage therapy. It sets the standards for the profession and can give advice on the minimum standard you will need, to practice massage therapy safely and competently.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships relevant to this role include:,

  • Holistic wellbeing practitioner advanced apprenticeship
  • Advanced beauty therapist

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Career tips

You can specialise in a particular form of massage like baby and infant massage, Swedish, deep tissue or sports massage. You can take extra training to build your specialist skills.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the voluntary register of the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council or the Federation of Holistic Therapists.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of how the human body works
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In a typical session you will:

  • check the client's medical history, diet and lifestyle
  • identify the client's reasons for wanting massage therapy
  • plan a course of treatment
  • apply pressure to areas of the body
  • give advice to clients about their wellbeing
  • refer clients to medical professionals

Working environment

You could work in a therapy clinic, at a health spa or from home.

Your working environment may be physically active.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could build up and maintain a reputation and client base, and set up your own business.

You could also train in other complementary therapies like aromatherapy, reiki or reflexology.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Advanced Beauty Therapy Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £117.00 Weekly
  • Location: Darwen

Spa/Beauty Therapist Apprentice

  • Wage: £144.30 Weekly
  • Location: Durham
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy

  • Provider: EAST SUSSEX COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 07 September 2022
  • Location: Hastings

Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy

  • Provider: NORTH KENT COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2022
  • Location: Dartford
Find courses near you

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