Massage Therapist

How Profitable Is A Massage Therapist? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 9th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Massage Therapist? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a massage therapist?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are massage therapists actually profitable?”

With a market size of $16.2B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a massage therapist with as low as $600
Based on our data, massage therapists generate an average of $1.05M per year
You could see gross margins as high as 48% with massage therapists

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a massage therapist.

Let’s dive in!

Is a massage therapist profitable?

Yes, a massage therapist is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.05M per year with an estimated gross margin of 80%, you could expect to recover your investment within 3 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your massage therapist.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your massage therapist is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a massage therapist worth it?

If you’re wondering if a massage therapist is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With massage therapists, you have the potential to earn $1.05M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $16.2B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a massage therapist to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful massage therapists case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Massage Therapists

Here are a few examples of profitable massage therapists, and a few more details about them:

1. Glosshouz ($3.3M/year)

Founder Loni, a former electrical engineer, decided to start Glosshouz after feeling a lack of purpose in her corporate career. She wanted to create a business primarily for women that offered a wide range of aesthetic and wellness services. Since its founding in 2016, Glosshouz has grown to have over 1000 monthly members and generated $3.3 million in revenue in 2022. Loni is now planning to franchise the Glosshouz brand and share her success with other entrepreneurs.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $3.3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.13M

How My Spa Makes $3.3M/Year Through A Robust Recurring Membership Model

Glosshouz is a full-service day spa that offers aesthetic and wellness services and has grown to over 1000 monthly members, earning $3,311,338 in revenue in 2022, and will soon be offering franchises.

Read this case study

Read by 2,558 founders

2. Meridian Spa ($360K/year)

Alma Curry founded Meridian Spa in 2017 after noticing a gap in the market for combining fitness and wellness. With her first venture, Meridian Fitness, already successful, she took a £120K gamble that now earns £30K/month.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 48%
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $600

My Path to Building A $30K/Month Spa Business

Case study of Alma Curry's successful business, Meridian Spa, generating impressive annual revenue of £350K with a profit of £198-200K, reaching 2.82M total impressions in the last 12 months through effective marketing strategies like PPC, FB Meta ads, and SEO.

Read this case study

Read by 1,233 founders

3. Jenni Jo - Tension Tamer®️ ($60K/year)

Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist with years of experience in the touring and entertainment industry, had the idea to create a mobile body care spa in the form of a renovated Airstream trailer. Inspired by her work with artists like Faith Hill and Amos Lee, she wanted to provide on-site therapeutic healing without the hassle of hauling equipment. Since launching her Peace Pod business, Jenni Jo has received press coverage and support, and is currently working towards profitability and future expansion opportunities.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K

How I Started A $2K/Month Mobile Bodycare Experiences Business

Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist, shares her story of creating a mobile body care spa in a custom Airstream to cater to the niche market of touring entertainers, with features such as massage tables, lounging spaces, custom cabinetry, lighting, music, and aromatherapy, inspiring other entrepreneurs to keep taking steps towards their dreams.

Read this case study

Read by 7,061 founders

Learn more about starting a massage therapist:

Where to start?

-> Massage therapist plan
-> How to finance a massage therapist?
-> How much does it cost to start a massage therapist?
-> Pros and cons of a massage therapist

Need inspiration?

-> Other massage therapist success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a massage therapist
-> Massage therapist Instagram bios
-> Massage therapist Instagram captions

Other resources

-> Massage therapist tips

How much can you make with a massage therapist?

With a massage therapist, you can make an average of $1.05M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $600. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 3 months.

How much does a massage therapist make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a massage therapist ranges around $21.8K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $87.2K.

To know if your massage therapist achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your massage therapist.

How much do massage therapists owners make?

The income of a massage therapist owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established massage therapist is about $21.8K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a massage therapist owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Massage Therapist Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a massage therapist can expect profit margin of around 80%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a massage therapist, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, massage therapist owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, massage therapist owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Massage therapist owner salary

The salary of a massage therapist owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established massage therapist, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $17.4K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a massage therapist may be a promising business to start - but the success of your massage therapist mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable massage therapist.

Part of

Becoming A Massage Therapist: Everything You Need To Know

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