Massage therapists can work in a variety of settings, including private practices, medical centers, spas and health clubs. All around the world, many beach and ski resorts and cruise ships also employ massage therapists for their guests to utilize and enjoy. Massage therapists employed by a resort might work in the resort’s spa and might also perform in-room or on-location massages. As of 2009, more than 7,000 massage therapists were employed at hotels, resorts and other travel accommodations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Income
The exact income for a massage therapist working at a resort will vary depending on the resort and how the resort pays its therapists. Even though high-end and luxury resorts often charge more per massage, massage therapists do not necessarily make more per massage because many resorts choose to pay a massage therapist a set amount per massage, no matter the overall cost of the massage, states the American Massage Therapy Association. As of 2009, on average, massage therapists working at resorts and hotels earned almost $36,000 a year or just over $17 an hour.
Benefits
When working for a resort, some resorts, such as Club Med, will provide living accommodations for its employees, cutting the costs of living expenses for the massage therapists. Because the massage therapist is an employee of the resort, many times the therapist can also receive typical employee benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation and sick days.
Tips and Extras
Resorts encourage their massage customers to tip their massage therapist, and many tip generously depending on the quality of the massage. Generally, the suggested tip for a massage is 18 to 20 percent of the total cost of the massage, and massage therapists get to keep any tips they receive. Besides tips, massage therapists who work at a resort often receive other extras such as access to the resort amenities and discounts at the resort.
Considerations
Because each state’s requirements for massage therapy education and licensing differ, massage therapists might need to invest money upfront to pay for the necessary training and licenses needed to work in a particular state. Massage therapists also will want to take into consideration the fact that working at resort can mean working off hours, such as weekends and evenings, to accommodate guests' schedules. Massage therapy is a physical job, and resort massage therapists can work long hours, leading to fatigue and injury.
