05/19/2026
A lot of people see “$100/hour massage” and assume the therapist is making $100 an hour.
That’s rarely the case.
Behind every session are business expenses most people never see:
• Studio or room rent
• Massage table, linens, oils, and supplies
• Laundry after every client
• Licensing, certifications, and continuing education
• Liability insurance
• Booking software and payment processing fees
• Self-employment taxes
• Marketing and advertising
• Time spent cleaning, scheduling, texting, emailing, and prepping between clients
• Physical wear and tear on the body
And unlike many jobs, massage therapists usually aren’t paid for cancellations, gaps in the schedule, sick days, vacations, or admin time. A “1-hour massage” often turns into 90+ minutes of actual work when you include setup, intake, cleanup, laundry, and client communication.
Massage therapy is skilled, physically demanding work that takes years to develop properly. You're not just paying for an hour on the table — you're paying for experience, care, training, and the ability to help people feel better physically and mentally.
Supporting small massage businesses means supporting real people working hard behind the scenes to provide a professional, healing experience. Thank you for all your continued live and support! ❤️
