How much do you tip a massage therapist for a 60 minute massage?

[Anonymous]

As a massage therapist, I am here to inform you that we do not get paid 50% of the cost of the massage. I've been a massage therapist for almost 20 years and have never come close to getting paid a decent wage. I've been paid as low as $10/hour for giving massages. Average about $15/hr. We expend much physical and emotional energy giving massages and many times do not get breaks or lunch times and barely time to go to the bathroom as well as do a TON of laundry. We are exhausted and giving our all to every client. So a good tip is appreciated more than you could imagine! I use my tips for groceries. On a good year, I may make $25,000. On a bad year, $15,000. Tips our our lifeline. Don't assume because you're going to a fancy spa that the therapist is making $60-75/treatment. 90% of the time, they are being paid less than $20/hr/treatment. Several spas that I've worked at, I would do treatments that cost $150-200 and I was getting paid about $14-20 to do that treatment, plus extra time to set up and clean up. On a body scrub or hot stone, it is a LOT of clean up. We also do not have health benefits and if we become injured on the job by being overworked, not only are we out income (because we don't have sick pay), we are also out of pocket on health care costs. Tip well. Your therapist deserves it and more than likely needs it desperately to pay bills. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I would like to start off by saying that I don't think someone should be unable to get a service just because all they can manage to afford is the service itself and not the tip, its hard enough being poor, and massage, at least, isn't (always) just a luxury, you shouldn't be denied some relief just because you don't have $20 extra on top of the $60 to god-knows-how-much your already spending just so you can sleep without pain. However, I believe if your not hurting for money, you should probably tip, if the massage was good, that is. I say this as someone who is both a massage therapist, and someone who doesn't make much money (yet!) It's a tougher career choice then you might imagine, guys.

Firstly, massage therapists can't (shouldn't, more like) work 40 hour weeks. I know it seems like regular manual labor is harder and MT's should buck up, but its a different kind of strain on the body, and doing too much is a very real risk of burnout and/or injury. Then what does all the money sunk into the degree, the licensing the continuing education the equipment get us? I live in constant fear of carpal tunnel! Or tendinitis. Or a sort of bad cut on the hand. Or a moderate to severe cough. All of these things mean I can't work. (Side note, kiddies, don't go into massage therapy unless your in very good health, just trust me on this one.)

Second, we usually work on some form of commission, even if it's just a matter of only making the full hourly wage while doing massages, and minimum when not booked. And we are not always booked up solid. Then, if the client fails to show up, that's an hour (or more) less pay. The earnings can be very inconsistent. So much as the weather looking a bit bad can kill business.

If one starts out working for themselves, or at a smaller place that isn't an already well known and busy spa, it can take years to build up to making a real living, particularly if not in a city, or if you choose to have other work on the side, therefor reducing the hours you can work to drum up business.

I'm one of the lucky ones that makes quite a high commission, but I'm still working on the slow build up of business. When I get there, I'll make good money, but that's not all of us. Not even close. And even for me, though business is building wonderfully, its a slow trudge to the point of a proper living income. I don't demand everyone tip, and tip high, I'm just trying to help you understand why this is generally one of the tipping professions. And If you think that MT's who have a hard time making ends meet without tips should "find a different career" then I guess you must not want to be able to get massages, because that's the kind of life and pay we have to deal with to provide that service for you.

But for the love of god, whatever you take out of this little novel I've written, please tip those poor souls unfortunate enough to work at Massage Envy!

[Anonymous]

To be honest all this tipping is putting me off going anywhere, it would be a very big deal for me to spend $60 on a massage (of course it is worth it, that is not the question, but my finances are). I don't understand why in America so few of the quoted prices are final. Supermarkets advertise ne rice and then add tax on top. Is it so hard to add it all together, in the supermarket on the price tag, or on the massage center price sheet. I really hate that feeling that I get when I spend $20 on a cafe visit and somehow get the guilt trip that I should tip as well. Can everybody please n corporate all the money they wish to receive to make them satisfied into ONE single price. I really need a massage, but I simply couldn't pay the hourly price AND add a tip. It's just too much.

[Anonymous]

Plus if the job is that shitty, choose another one. You could find almost any job for $25k that would be better than the way you describe massage. If you are under 90 years old it isn't too late to change your life. I work a low paying job I love and don't get tips. There are millions of us who do so the crying about the tip sounds bratty. By the way I always tip, but not so sure anymore if the people massaging me are so miserable and stressed out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At the asian places you dont pay for the massage- just tip

What? Where? Explain pls.

[Anonymous]

The job isn't shitty. We are not miserable. Most of us love our job, and love making people feel better. This is the type of job that puts many people in the small percentage who can honestly say they are doing what they love. But we still have to eat and pay rent (and those pesky student loans) Its just a fact of life that some careers are tough to make it through. Would you rather we all just quit and end massage as a practice so that you don't have to put up with it? Somehow I doubt that. Screw all the people who are in pain and greatly benefit from massage, because damn it all, those therapists can't get good money at this job, so they should all just pack it up and go elsewhere! Clearly there's no better solution. Clearly that would be better then you being willing to give even an extra $5 if you aren't hurting for money yourself.

I stand by the idea that you don't HAVE to tip (I'm sure plenty would argue, but this is my opinion, and I would exclude food servers in that one), its just a great gesture if your able, and what you got was great, but there's usually a reason for tipping when its customary. I imagine if it stopped being customary to tip in general, prices would just go right on up to make up for it, and you'd be paying more anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've Googled it but the ranges are all over the place. Is it a percentage of the cost of the massage or just a flat amount? The massage is in a ritzy hotel and was a gift from DH.

at least $5 but $10 is better especially if your not paying full price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do realize that most massage therapist only work 25-30 hours due to the more intense job we have. I for one ALWAYS tip $20 for an hour. We as therapist touch your body, even glutes, sometimes after a client has worked out without bathing, or sun tanned without bathing, you sweat during massage, etc. You think that's necessary to complain about tipping when a therapist who works at Massage Envy is only making $16 an hour, again, only working 25 hours a week. I use my tip money to feed my family and put gas in my car because my entire paycheck goes to my bills. Or for therapists who rent their own room, they have linens to clean, lotions to buy, again, etc...the money you pay for the actual massage goes to the rent, insurance and continuing education classes we have to take to stay licensed. You people need to come down off your high horse 'oh I don't get tipped for my job' and realize the real situation. I'm sorry I don't sit at a desk for 40 hours, I bust my ass for my money.

With all due respect, you have your own "high horse" you seem to be on. You assume that everyone going to a massage therapist sits at a desk... how presumptuous of you. I do many jobs... all of which are labor intensive with the exception of one. That's the reason I go to a massage therapist to begin with... to eliminate enough pain to go back and do it again the next week so that I may work to feed MY family.

Don't get me wrong, I tip 20% regularly for a good job... more when they go above and beyond for whatever reasons. As for waitresses, they get a minimum of $5 from me whenever a bill is below what that would be 20% of... because I figure they have to clean the table and reset it when I leave regardless of whether I only ordered a $5 dessert and coffee.

As for your other argument (or belittling those who complain that they don't get tips at their jobs), landscapers, painters, construction workers and more also don't get tips.... nor do they "sit at a desk for 40 hours".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to start off by saying that I don't think someone should be unable to get a service just because all they can manage to afford is the service itself and not the tip, its hard enough being poor, and massage, at least, isn't (always) just a luxury, you shouldn't be denied some relief just because you don't have $20 extra on top of the $60 to god-knows-how-much your already spending just so you can sleep without pain. However, I believe if your not hurting for money, you should probably tip, if the massage was good, that is. I say this as someone who is both a massage therapist, and someone who doesn't make much money (yet!) It's a tougher career choice then you might imagine, guys.

Firstly, massage therapists can't (shouldn't, more like) work 40 hour weeks. I know it seems like regular manual labor is harder and MT's should buck up, but its a different kind of strain on the body, and doing too much is a very real risk of burnout and/or injury. Then what does all the money sunk into the degree, the licensing the continuing education the equipment get us? I live in constant fear of carpal tunnel! Or tendinitis. Or a sort of bad cut on the hand. Or a moderate to severe cough. All of these things mean I can't work. (Side note, kiddies, don't go into massage therapy unless your in very good health, just trust me on this one.)

Second, we usually work on some form of commission, even if it's just a matter of only making the full hourly wage while doing massages, and minimum when not booked. And we are not always booked up solid. Then, if the client fails to show up, that's an hour (or more) less pay. The earnings can be very inconsistent. So much as the weather looking a bit bad can kill business.

If one starts out working for themselves, or at a smaller place that isn't an already well known and busy spa, it can take years to build up to making a real living, particularly if not in a city, or if you choose to have other work on the side, therefor reducing the hours you can work to drum up business.

I'm one of the lucky ones that makes quite a high commission, but I'm still working on the slow build up of business. When I get there, I'll make good money, but that's not all of us. Not even close. And even for me, though business is building wonderfully, its a slow trudge to the point of a proper living income. I don't demand everyone tip, and tip high, I'm just trying to help you understand why this is generally one of the tipping professions. And If you think that MT's who have a hard time making ends meet without tips should "find a different career" then I guess you must not want to be able to get massages, because that's the kind of life and pay we have to deal with to provide that service for you.

But for the love of god, whatever you take out of this little novel I've written, please tip those poor souls unfortunate enough to work at Massage Envy!

Very well said. I'm not a MT but typically work the sort of jobs that leave me needing one in order to continue working (so I, for one, am grateful there are people like yourself who enjoy helping others in a way that ends up helping ME!)

As for the hours per week you should be working, you're right about not being able to do a "normal" work week and still be able to function. And for those who feel you're just whining about the hard work, it would only take one hour of their own massaging their spouse non-stop and in the "work out the kinks" fashion that they receive their own massages to figure that out!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So glad I live in the UK, it's not expected to tip anyone unless they give you a really excellent service, not even waitresses.

I don't think it's fair that people should feel like they MUST pay extra on top, as mentioned by someone else, people do choose their job and they are getting paid for it. If it's that bad change it, don't ask for sympathy!

I'm curious... do your waitresses get paid an hourly wage in the UK? Here in the U.S. they get a base pay of less than $3/hour because the employers know they make tips (which I also don't think is fair). It would be a different story if they were at least being paid minimum wage. Then I could see tip or not kind of service.

[Anonymous]

I always tip 20% on the regular price. So I pay $60 for an hour massage for my massage therapist but it is a discounted rate because I go regularly. But I still tip $20 because it's normally a $100 massage.

Some hotels already include gratuity and depending on how much that is, I'll add more if it's less than 20%.

[Anonymous]

I dont always tip. Sometimes i just dont have it. Even those of us who have worked years at an office job dont make much more than $35k. And there isnt anything else out there to change to, most office jobs that will hire someone without a degree make alot less than 35k. Some times spending $90 on a massage works better than spending $500 to go to the drs. I am grateful to be able to splurge once or twice a year when my symptoms are bad or when im so stressed i cant get through a day without tears.
We all do what we can. Ive opted not to have internet or cable. Id rather spend my money on trying to get healthy.
Dont assume if someone doesnt tip they arent grateful for the service. If your gracious about it theyll give you the return businessor tell their friends about you. That should make you more than a one time tip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We go to the Kingsmill Spa in Williamsburg a few times a year (family nearby) and at the end, the receptionist will say, "we've automatically added 18% gratuity, would you like to change it?" I usually just say its fine, even though I think it's a bit high. The masseuse already gets about half of the price too (so $60 of a $120 massage). That's not a horrible hourly rate. I don't get tipped for doing my job.

That's presumptuous of the management to auto add the tip. If you don't want to tip or tip less based on service, you look like an asshole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to start off by saying that I don't think someone should be unable to get a service just because all they can manage to afford is the service itself and not the tip, its hard enough being poor, and massage, at least, isn't (always) just a luxury, you shouldn't be denied some relief just because you don't have $20 extra on top of the $60 to god-knows-how-much your already spending just so you can sleep without pain. However, I believe if your not hurting for money, you should probably tip, if the massage was good, that is. I say this as someone who is both a massage therapist, and someone who doesn't make much money (yet!) It's a tougher career choice then you might imagine, guys.

Firstly, massage therapists can't (shouldn't, more like) work 40 hour weeks. I know it seems like regular manual labor is harder and MT's should buck up, but its a different kind of strain on the body, and doing too much is a very real risk of burnout and/or injury. Then what does all the money sunk into the degree, the licensing the continuing education the equipment get us? I live in constant fear of carpal tunnel! Or tendinitis. Or a sort of bad cut on the hand. Or a moderate to severe cough. All of these things mean I can't work. (Side note, kiddies, don't go into massage therapy unless your in very good health, just trust me on this one.)

Second, we usually work on some form of commission, even if it's just a matter of only making the full hourly wage while doing massages, and minimum when not booked. And we are not always booked up solid. Then, if the client fails to show up, that's an hour (or more) less pay. The earnings can be very inconsistent. So much as the weather looking a bit bad can kill business.

If one starts out working for themselves, or at a smaller place that isn't an already well known and busy spa, it can take years to build up to making a real living, particularly if not in a city, or if you choose to have other work on the side, therefor reducing the hours you can work to drum up business.

I'm one of the lucky ones that makes quite a high commission, but I'm still working on the slow build up of business. When I get there, I'll make good money, but that's not all of us. Not even close. And even for me, though business is building wonderfully, its a slow trudge to the point of a proper living income. I don't demand everyone tip, and tip high, I'm just trying to help you understand why this is generally one of the tipping professions. And If you think that MT's who have a hard time making ends meet without tips should "find a different career" then I guess you must not want to be able to get massages, because that's the kind of life and pay we have to deal with to provide that service for you.

But for the love of god, whatever you take out of this little novel I've written, please tip those poor souls unfortunate enough to work at Massage Envy!

You said is all so well!!

As someone who has recently graduated from massage therapy school, much of this thread is really disheartening to me. It's sad to see some of the animosity that the whole tipping system creates among people, when it's so crucial that exchange between therapist and client is free of this kind of resentment on both sides. The focus should be on the therapeutic intent of the massage. I truly hope the future of this profession sees MT's getting a fair wage across the board, so tipping doesn't have to be such an issue.

I guess it's pretty obvious, but I've found when making a decision about how much of a tip I should pay someone, it really does help make things a lot clearer to just put myself in the other's shoes, while not discounting my own situation. If you can afford to pay a nice tip, and appreciate the quality and work that went into the service, it is awesome to be generous to someone, and it really does help a lot. If you can't afford it, as a therapist I would much rather you still get the massage that's in your budget and not have to just push through your muscle pain/stress/etc. due to not being able to pay much in the way of a tip. You still absolutely deserve the best massage a therapist provides no matter the tip. Hopefully it all evens out -- in my experience working at a massage clinic, so far it mostly does. Here's hoping that the established practices of many employers in the profession will change so that tips won't make or break clients and therapists in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you pay $90 for a 60 minute massage, you're paying for the massage to be a good one, not half assed and if it is good, which is what you're paying to get, you tip anyway. Tipping is out of control. TIP stands for "To Ensure Prompt Service", not to get quality work/services or the alrady high price you're paying for the service, regardless if the person is the owner or not. I'll tip if they go over the hour, if they provide something more than the basic service I'm paying for. How many of you get a tip from you work for going exactly what you're suppopse to do and yeah, wee're all working to make the other guy rich and we're not seeing "tips".

?