How to Make 6 Figures As A Massage Therapist? ( Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: October 8th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a massage therapist? Good for you! Being a massage therapist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a massage therapist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative side hustle to supplement your income as a massage therapist and even help you reach six figures. With the flexibility to define your work schedule, you could easily balance your massage practice and freelance writing, working from home at any time. You could leverage your expertise in health and wellness to write articles, e-books, or guides, helping you tap into profitable niches.

Entrepreneurial-minded massage therapists with strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and proper communication skills could excel as freelance writers. Staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends will ensure you remain competitive. By marketing your unique perspective on wellness topics, you could attract clients willing to pay premium rates for quality content, further boosting your income.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

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2. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income as a massage therapist. Whether you're looking to clear your utility bills, finance further education, or save for a vacation, the flexibility of social media marketing allows you to automate many tasks using various tools. This means you could effectively manage both your massage therapy practice and your side business without needing to commit extensive time to either.

Developing a strong social media marketing strategy and creating an agency portfolio could enable you to attract and serve a range of clients efficiently. By leveraging your understanding of wellness and health, you could even offer niche services targeted at other professionals in these fields, adding further value and appeal. This dual approach could elevate your earnings to the six-figure range, providing financial security and professional growth.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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3. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)

Creating an online course business could significantly boost your income as a massage therapist. By identifying educational gaps and developing engaging video lessons around specialized massage techniques or wellness practices, you could empower others while generating passive income. This approach allows you to monetize your expertise with minimal startup costs.

With the flexibility of self-paced or cohort-based structures, you could cater to a broad base of eager lifelong learners. Providing supplementary materials and offering specialized instruction, your online course could become a valuable resource for those looking to expand their own massage therapy skills. This entrepreneurial venture not only supplements your income but also establishes you as a thought leader in your field, paving the way to potentially earning six figures.

How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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4. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could be a game-changer for entrepreneurial-minded massage therapists aiming to make six figures. By sharing your expertise and passion for massage therapy through a podcast, you could reach a broader audience, establishing yourself as an authority in the field. This expanded reach might lead to increased client bookings, as more people become aware of your skills and services.

Additionally, as your podcast grows in popularity, you could attract sponsors or advertisers, providing a steady stream of additional revenue. You might also explore creating premium content for a subscription model, further supplementing your income. By strategically leveraging a podcast, you could develop new revenue streams, ultimately helping you achieve your six-figure income goal.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

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5. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could significantly supplement your income as a massage therapist by allowing you to reach a broader audience and establish yourself as an expert in the field. By sharing valuable insights, tips on self-care, and industry trends, you could attract a dedicated following, ultimately creating multiple streams of revenue through advertising, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.

Given that 77% of internet users read blogs, and blogs are among the most trustworthy sources of online information, your expertise in massage therapy could position you as a trusted and authoritative voice. With over 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, the potential audience for your blog is vast, offering a lucrative opportunity to turn your passion into a profitable side business or even a full-time career.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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6. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Starting an affiliate marketing venture could significantly boost your income as a massage therapist by allowing you to monetize your existing client base and online presence. By promoting products or services related to health, wellness, or massage therapy, you could earn commissions for every sale made through your referral links.

You could start by signing up for affiliate programs in your niche, such as essential oils, massage equipment, or health supplements, and sharing these products with your clients or through your social media channels. This low-cost business model requires minimal upfront investment and leverages your already established credibility and trust with clients, making it an attractive and viable side business to help you reach the six-figure mark.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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7. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an ecommerce store could significantly supplement your income as a massage therapist, opening up new avenues to attract six-figure earnings. You could sell specialized massage products, such as premium oils, lotions, massage tools, and relaxation aids, designed to enhance the clients' experience and extend the benefits of your sessions. With an ecommerce store, you're not confined to your local area; you can reach a global audience, potentially multiplying your client base.

The beauty of an ecommerce business lies in its low overhead costs and the flexibility it offers, allowing you to manage operations alongside your primary career. As consumers increasingly favor online shopping for its convenience and efficiency, your ecommerce store could tap into this booming market. Setting up a user-friendly website, incorporating payment processing software, and managing inventory efficiently are essential steps to building a successful online business.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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8. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could open numerous avenues for you as a massage therapist to supplement your income and potentially make six figures. By creating engaging and informative content about techniques, wellness tips, and behind-the-scenes looks into your practice, you could attract a significant following. Reaching the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months would enable you to join the YouTube Partner Program, allowing for ad revenue.

Moreover, you could collaborate with other wellness professionals or feature product reviews, which might lead to sponsorship deals, further boosting your income. A popular channel could also drive more clients to your physical practice, expanding your clientele base. With consistency and dedication to quality content, you could build a successful YouTube channel, positioning yourself as an authority in the massage therapy field and creating multiple streams of income.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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9. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

As a massage therapist, supplementing your income by becoming a social media influencer could significantly boost your earnings and propel you toward a six-figure income. By establishing yourself on popular platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you have the opportunity to build a loyal following who values your expertise and recommends your services. This can attract brands looking to partner with influencers in the wellness niche, opening up additional revenue streams through sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and product endorsements.

Furthermore, you could leverage your social media presence to offer online consultations, create and sell instructional videos, or develop a subscription-based platform for exclusive content. Building a strong online identity not only diversifies your income but also enhances your credibility as a thought leader in the massage therapy industry, potentially leading to speaking engagements, workshops, and other lucrative opportunities. The key is to develop a strategic approach: choose a niche that aligns with your interests, consistently produce valuable content, and engage with your audience to foster growth and influence.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

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10. Digital products ($242K/month)

Creating digital products could be a powerful way to supplement your income as a massage therapist and help you achieve six-figure earnings. You could develop an online course or write an ebook focused on massage techniques, wellness tips, or self-care routines. These are high-demand topics that could attract a broad audience looking to improve their well-being or learn new skills.

Additionally, you could launch a membership site offering exclusive content or a community platform where members pay for specialized guidance and networking opportunities. The beauty of digital products lies in their ease of creation and distribution. With no overhead costs for physical inventory, you could sell these products directly from your website, maximizing your profits while expanding your reach.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could significantly enhance your income as a massage therapist by leveraging your expertise in wellness and professional growth. As a career coach, you would offer personalized guidance, support, and strategy services that help clients navigate job transitions and achieve their professional goals. This dual role can attract a broader client base and create multiple revenue streams.

You could design custom sessions focusing on resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement, tailored to each client’s unique aspirations. Your ability to meet clients in-person or virtually adds flexibility and convenience, making it easier to build a loyal client base. By helping others achieve their career breakthroughs, you could monetize your motivational abilities and human resources expertise, thereby supplementing your income and edging closer to that six-figure mark.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.