Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Massage Therapist
What massage therapists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Prepare the room with fresh linens and review intake forms. From there, the day usually includes review client health history, assess areas of pain or tension, and perform therapeutic massage. Many work part-time or flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a massage therapist working full time.
- Prepare the room with fresh linens and review intake forms.
- Give a deep tissue massage for low back pain.
- Give a relaxing Swedish massage.
- Take a break and stretch.
- Do a sports massage for a runner.
- Write session notes.
- Give a prenatal massage.
Where massage therapists work
Massage therapists work in spas, clinics, gyms, offices and clients’ homes, in calm treatment rooms. The work is physical.
Hours and schedule
Many work part-time or flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Review client health history
- Assess areas of pain or tension
- Perform therapeutic massage
- Use techniques such as Swedish and deep tissue
- Suggest stretches and self-care
- Keep session notes
- Maintain a clean treatment room
Tools you’ll use every day
- Massage tables
- Oils and lotions
- Linens and bolsters
- Hot stones
- Foam rollers
- Scheduling software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Fast-growing field
- Help clients feel better
- Flexible hours
- Private practice options
What’s hard
- Physically demanding
- Income depends on clients
- Risk of hand and wrist strain
- Evening and weekend work
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want to help people feel better
- I’m comfortable with touch-based work
- I have good stamina
- I like one-on-one work
- I want flexible hours
- I might want my own practice
Not sure? Take the free Massage Therapist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Screen for contraindications
- Use proper body mechanics
- Maintain professional boundaries and draping
- Clean linens and surfaces between clients