Massage Therapy Industry?

[Jessica]

How has the economy effected massage therapist's as contracted and employed status?

 

[Sabeena]

The following info applies to my area only. I don't keep up with what's happening with massage in the entire country.

The hiring web sites show listings are down 28% over last year. Massage Envy cut pay by $2/hr and hours worked by 20%, instead of laying people off. Hand and Stone cut a bunch of staff but kept salaries the same. The largest upscale salon in the area has a hiring freeze and cut commissions paid from 50% to 40%, plus tip. All my friends say tipping is WAY down.

I work for myself and call a contractor when I need help with overflow. I haven't called anyone for help in 6 months, but I still work as much as I want. None of my friends are as fortunate. Most have suffered 10-50% decrease in their business.

Typically the "vice" industries do well during economic downturns (alcohol, sex, gambling). People turn to them for escape. Not that massage is a vice, but I've made mine as luxurious as possible and added a bunch of extras to make it feel like a "healthy vice" (ultrasound, paraffin wax, foot scrubs, hot stones, facial steam, warm towels etc. included for free). So I haven't seen as much decrease in my own business.

Edit: Now I see you're in Utah, Jessica, and perhaps looking to become self-employed? I'm geographically close to you and self-employed, so my info/opinion is probably relevant for your consideration! That being said, I wouldn't recommend it right now for obvious reasons, unless you are VERY, VERY brave and VERY, VERY industrious...

 

[Jabril]

I don't know the true stats, but outside looking in, I could imagine this industry will feel a big blow economized way. This is not a necessity and some people may stop having them. However in the same sense, people do still spend money to go see movies. Not a priority on my list but to some people no matter how short in money they will still go and see a movie. So the same might could be said of massages, despite the economy of their budget, they will spend what they can on a massage to relieve the stress of financial burdens.

jabril