How to Make More Money as a Massage Therapist (Without Overbooking)

The average massage therapist salary is $47,180, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s about $6,000 less than the average job in the United States.

So…

How can massage therapists make more money without booking more appointments?

(You don’t have to overbook your schedule. That’ll lead to burnout.)

We put together a list of tips for massage therapists to make more money.

Rebook More Massage Clients

One simple way to make more money as a massage therapist is to focus more energy on rebooking current clients, instead of finding new ones.

Acquiring new clients costs up to five times more than retaining a current client, so there’s a lot to gain by getting clients to book again and again.

Clients who rebook create a more stable income for your business. They also create a positive feedback loop by recommending you to their friends and family.

A win-win for free word-of-mouth marketing – and maybe a new customer loyalty program?

PS. Learn how a scheduling software for massage therapists can help your business rebook clients.

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Raise Your Massage Prices

We know raising your prices can seem a bit scary.

What if my clients are upset? What if they don’t come back?

Trust us:

When the time comes, there are simple, seamless ways to increase your prices to make sure you’re charging what you deserve — without upsetting your clients.

1. Give notice:

Let your regular clients know well in advance of any price changes. The commonly accepted timeline is at least two months notice. At the end of the day, you don’t want to surprise your clients with a price change. The more notice you can give, the better.

2. Post your prices:

If your prices are posted on your website or on your online booking page, make sure they reflect your current price. This way, clients aren’t caught off guard when they come in for their appointment because they saw an old listing with your previous rates.

3. Cut your regulars a deal:

It’s never a bad idea to reward your longtime clients. One way to do that is to offer your current clients the chance to book in advance (and prepay) at your old rate. This will help your clients feel better about the pricing transition, and you’ll have appointments locked in for the future!

PS. To make sure you’re charging (at least) the average in your state, check out Forbes Average Massage Therapist Salary by State.

Increase Tips

We all know how stressful discussing tipping can feel!

But…

In addition to providing your clients with great service, there are ways to encourage them to tip after their massage without encountering that awkward tipping moment.

One way to avoid the awkward tipping moment is by using a service that auto-calculates tips at checkout. This helps clients avoid awkwardly doing math in their heads in front of you.

Having a payment processing system that provides a tipping step also saves you from having to ask, which always feels a little awkward.

Create Package Deals

Packaging your services into bundles is a fantastic way to market you massage offerings, incentivizing new and current clients to book.

There are plenty of benefits to packaging your services:

You’ll book more appointments
You’ll encourage repeat business
You’ll set yourself apart from the competition

To hook new clients into rebooking, you can create a package especially for them, like “Returning Customer Package of 5” with a little discount built in.

Sell Products

Adding retail or merchandise to your revenue stream is a great way for massage therapists to bring in more money and make life a little easier for your clients.

If they can buy their products from you during their appointment, they don’t have to search for it in a store or go down any product rabbit holes online.

For massage therapists, this could mean selling aromatherapy oils, lotions, scrubs, hot packs, massage tools, or even books.

Add New Massage Therapy Services

Whether you’re trained in sports massage therapy or deep tissue massage, a new service can open up a whole new revenue stream.

Just keep in mind, some might require certifications or licenses, so double-check before offering!

Become an Influencer

Making it as an “influencer” seems tough, especially in a niche industry like massage therapy.

However!

Everyone is an influencer on some level. You don’t need thousands of followers or big-brand partnerships to make passive income on social media.

Try these passive income ideas for massage therapists:

Guest blogging. A lot of publications and businesses accept guest posts from industry experts. Here’s how to pitch your idea – even if you don’t know who to send an email to.
YouTube. Start a YouTube channel and share your life as a massage therapist. (Just be careful not to violate any HIPAA regulations when recording or posting.)
Affiliate programs. Affiliate programs are like being an influencer without the hefty contractual obligation. It’s a great passive income opportunity for massage therapists.

Sign up for a company’s affiliate program (like Amazon or Target), then – whenever you feel like it – post about your favorite products with your special link. Your recommendations can turn into passive income in seconds.