INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massage Therapist positions are at a 32% growth rate, which is much faster than average. With that said, there are currently 144,600 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 46,500 to 191,100 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Massage Therapist jobs was $43,620 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $22,580, and the highest 10% more than $79,150.
Our conclusion? The Massage Therapist job market is wide open for candidates.
Top Massage Therapist Sections That Make the Best Resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
What to include in your Massage Therapist resume experience section
Massage therapist resume experience section checklist:
- Use at least 3 and no more than 7 bullet points per position;
- Make your experience sound relevant to what you’re applying for;
- Combine responsibilities, results, and critical situations that you’ve handled well;
- Show that you’re willing to take up on challenges;
- Include numbers in any form you like.
Looking for some real experience section examples? We’ve gathered the best Massage Therapist resume samples to help you. Check them out before building your own resume!
- Evaluate clients' soft tissue condition, joint function, muscle strength and range of movement
- Review client’s medical histories and pain / presentation to determine appropriate treatment plan
- Conduct postural assessments with history to determine if corrective action is required
- Perform sports, deep tissue &Swedish massages; providing massage therapy to soothe muscles, relieve tension and eliminate stress
- Post-treatment: provide clients with guidance regarding techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening and rehabilitative exercises
- Consult with clients to determine massage needs and requests
- Ability to quickly establish rapport with potentially single-visit clients
- Consistently maintain high-level of client satisfaction through skillful service and friendly manner
- Evaluate clients’ soft tissue condition, joint function, muscle strength and range of movement
- Review client’s medical histories and pain / presentation to determine appropriate treatment plan
- Conduct postural assessments with history to determine if corrective action is required
- Perform sports & deep tissue massages; providing massage therapy to soothe muscles and relieve tension
- Consult with clients to determine massage needs and requests
- Ability to quickly establish rapport with potentially single-visit clients
- Consistently maintain high-level of client satisfaction through skilful service and friendly manner
- Completed over 500 massages (various varieties)
- Arrived on time for 98% of appointments
- Received strong feedback and built loyal customer base
- Greeted patients with a pleasant and enthusiastic demeanor at all times;
- Educated new patients on the rehabilitative therapy and administered intake forms;
- Had a thorough understanding in performing all rehabilitative therapies and utilized these therapies in a safe, appropriate and effective manner;
- Designed specific treatments based upon the client’s individual needs;
- Maintained inventory of all products necessary to perform treatments;
- Maintained professionalism and cleanliness of therapy rooms and common areas;
- Helped prepare patients for any necessary x-rays;
- Guided patients through their rehabilitation program and efficiently demonstrated all exercises prescribed in the clinic.
- Transformed hundreds of clients' wellbeing with manual therapy and coaching support.
- Created massage workshops for couples and continuing education.
- Developed long-term relationships through trust and consistent high-quality results.
- Developed marketing savvy.
- Started the business from scratch, grew to needing 6 other therapists.
- Developed the business to a place where it was consistently hitting 100 appointments and approx. $6,000 per week.
- Fostered many great relationships with local sporting clubs, gyms, and personal trainers to ensure that we were the 'go to' for their injured clients.
- Specialized therapy including fascia work, trigger point therapy, soft tissue release, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue and general Swedish massage that includes the use of heat and ice
- Working alongside other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopathic manual practitioners to develop treatment plans for clients
- Providing clients with treatment plans that include rehabilitative exercises, postural improvement, stretches, strengthening and relaxation techniques
- Wrote monthly newsletters, a massage blog, and maintained a regular online media presence.
- Grew and maintained a large massage clientele
- Regularly attended classes and seminars to refine and elevate my massage skills.
- Specializing in the following forms of therapy: myofascial release, cupping, hot stone, trigger point therapy, lymphatic drainage, deep tissue and general Swedish massage that includes the use of heat and ice
- Providing clients with treatment plans that include rehabilitative exercises, postural improvement, stretches, strengthening & relaxation
- Working alongside other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopathic manual practitioners to develop treatment plans for clients
- Assessing clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment, and modified as necessary.
- Provided safe, appropriate, and effective massage techniques with a pleasant and enthusiastic attitude at all times.
- Assessed the needs of each customer individually and selected appropriate therapy.
- Provided clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement, stretching & strengthening.
- Provided a combination of relaxation therapy and recovery from injuries through therapeutic massage.
- Treated different types of patients, from athletes to office workers.
- Performed 1 to 2h30min massages to achieve sessions' set goals.
- Recommended self-improvement techniques, such as stretches and postural changes.
- Created and kept a clean, organized, and relaxing environment.
- Communicated with patients to determine massage needs and goals.
- Performed suitable massage techniques to attain desired results.
- Helped in training new massage and spa therapists.
- Assisted in hotel and spa marketing through one-on-one referrals and social media promotion.
- Frequently check with guest to promote comfort, safety and security throughout service.
- Fill out necessary reports or data at the end of each session.
- Attend all scheduled meetings, classes and training sessions; knowledge required within the Spa must be passed on to co-workers.
- Assists in all areas of recreation and leisure operation as and when required.
- Carry out any other duties assigned by management.
- Provides individualised bodywork treatments that meet the guests needs and expectations.
- Be thoroughly familiar and able to recommend Spa products and treatments.
- Consult with clients to determine massage need and special requests
- Recommend additional techniques such as stretches that clients can perform at home
- Consistently increase client satisfaction through skilful service and friendly manner
- Massage Therapy:Thai massage, Sport Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy Massage, Thai Herbal Heat, Balinese Massage, Prenatal Massage
- Facial Treatment: Facial Massage
- Body Treatment: Body Scrubs, Body Wraps
- Maintained massage area neat, clean and organised manner
- Attended all staff meeting and continually learned new techniques
- Massage Therapy:Thai massage, Sport Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Thai Herbal Heat, Oil Massage
- Facial Treatment: Facial Massage
- Body Treatment: Body Scrub
PRO TIP
Show off real numbers that display your accomplishments in past roles. Instead of listing out your responsibilities as Massage Therapist, talk about the measurable impact you made to their business. Did you boost their revenue? Increase customer retention? Mention your proudest points on your resume.
Action verbs for your massage therapist resume
Recommended reads:
Top massage therapist skills for your resume."
Massage therapist resume skills section checklist:
- Match your hard skills to the job description;
- Add keywords to pass applicant tracking systems;
- Don’t list soft skills such as ’teamwork’ – rather, mention how they’ve helped you gain success in some other sections of your Massage Therapist resume;
- List only skills you actually have, keep lying out of the picture.
Top skills for your massage therapist resume
Microsoft Office Suite
Google Suite
Quickbooks
MindBody Online
Acuity Scheduling
Bodywork Buddy
Deep Tissue
Trigger Point
Myofascial Release
Communication
Compassion
Patience
Flexibility, adaptability, and emotional stability
Proactive, ethical, and responsible nature
Honesty
Team-player
Strong work ethic
Time management
PRO TIP
Don’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.
Recommended reads:
Massage therapist resume header: Tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your massage therapist resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have non-discrimination policies about what kind of information can be included on your Massage Therapist resume. This might include a photo (which is often included in a resume header and might be on personal web pages you link to). You can always email the company’s HR department to ask about their policies before you apply.
Craft a strong massage therapist resume summary
Massage therapist resume summary checklist:
- Your total years of experience
- The industry you’re coming from
- One or two most remarkable accomplishments that have helped you - turn into a great professional
- Short sentences that add value – avoid filler words and phrases
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
When writing a resume summary or objective, avoid first-person narrative.
Recommended reads:
Highlight your education, certifications, and courses
What to include in your education and courses sections.
- Your highest education degree – this includes institution, course, and duration
- Certifications and courses that have helped you gain additional expertise
- Awards you’ve received as part of your education
- Entry-level positions only: relevant classes and projects
Top Certifications for Your Massage Therapist Resume
Kinesiology Taping For Massage Therapists Certificate Course
Start using Kinesiology tape in your massage clinic TODAY and see your massage clients get so much better, faster.
Bowen Therapy NO MASSAGE Healing Certificate Course (8CEU)
An incredible NO MASSAGE remedial therapy for massage therapists or anyone else that wants to learn how to heal people.
A Massage Therapist's Guide To Treating Shoulder Pain
Learn how to simply and effectively treat shoulder pain for massage therapists in this Certificate course
Aromatherapy For Massage Therapists Certificate Course
Transform your massage business by using aromatherapy essential oils and see incredible results with your clients!
Chair Massage Certificate Course (3 CEU)
You will be able to give people incredible chair massages effortlessly, and you do not need a massage chair (3 CEU's)
Recommended Reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Massage Therapist. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Drafting a Job-winning Massage Therapist Resume
When drafting your resume, you can choose between three well-known formats:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Which format you decide to go for depends on two things: your personal preference and how experienced you are.
The reverse-chronological format is ideal for both really experienced people and those who joined the workforce just a couple of years ago. It’s also great if your experience combines different industries and jobs. Here, your most recent position comes at the top of your resume.
The functional skills-based resume format, on the other hand, is ideal for recent graduates or people who have no work experience whatsoever. It’s built around your skills, interests, and expertise. Ultimately, its goal is to show recruiters your biggest strengths and practical skills.
Combination resumes (also known as hybrid resumes) are great for all types of candidates – be they graduates, experienced professionals, or brave career changers. They usually follow a double-column format – one side focuses on your experience, while the other emphasizes your education, skills, interests, and accomplishments.
Here’s our resume format and style checklist:
- Choose a traditional resume font sized 12p;
- Go for standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Match the length of your Massage Therapist resume with your experience – choose a one-page template if you have less than 10 years of experience, and be careful with two-page templates;
- Send your resume in PDF – in this way, you’ll avoid formatting issues and potential editing from third parties.
And in case you want to go the extra mile, check out our guide for crafting a resume that stands out.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft Massage Therapist resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections worth including in your massage therapist resume
Including other sections in your resume depends on the company, the position, and, ultimately, the industry. Here are some sections that will help you spice things up:
A massage therapist resume that stands out
Recruiters look at tens of resumes every day. That’s why helping them remember yours is crucial for landing an interview.
A creative resume can help you show off both your personality and your expertise at the same time.
Creative sections about passions, favorite books, quotes, and even your daily routine are a great way to make your resume feel like a breath of fresh air.
What’s more, it will also point recruiters to the fact that you’re attentive to detail and can think outside the box of Word-generated black and white resumes.
What makes a great massage therapist resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
