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

[Anonymous]

I think $85 for an hour is all they need. If you want more charge a higher price. I think tipping should be outlawed. I just want them to really tell me the price and be done with it. Restaurants, beauticians etc I respect your work but just charge what you want and leave it at that and let me relax and enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Tips, by definition, are gratuity - above and beyond the amount you are already paying for the value of a product or service, post "mark up" by the vendor or provider.

To me, it's basically mind-blowing that after making $75 or even $100 per hour for a service where no degree, board certification, professional membership, or license is required, a therapist should have some expectation of receiving an additional 20%. I have a doctorate, and I do not receive tips for my professional services. I worked my ass off for my degrees.

In the context of food service, I totally understand: these folks are making $3 to $5 an hour (you are paying for the food, and a small, small portion of that goes to the wait staff), and tips represent your "gratuity" for the service offered by the waiter or waitress.

I am not arguing that you shouldn't tip after a massage... just that an expectation of 20% additional is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I am member of La Vida...and I never knew if yes or no, we tip or not...but I found a little enveloppe that says "gratuity" sort of tips envelope..or I leave $5.00 on the credit card...my massage session for 60 mn is $49.99 . I give 10%...
But yesterday the woman who gave me a massage gave me also a good lesson on Spine and shoulder, my main focus...she knows about nutrition...and bone/ligament steucture very well..seemed educated..so..yes...I will tip her more next time vecause...she also toô the time to explain me after ward...very nice..i left very relaxed and no mire pain...

[Anonymous]

Ppl that work for tips are due 10%. To not give at least that is like stealing. I give message envy 25 bucks for 90 min., and I always leave them cash. If I can't afford that, then I can't afford the massage & won't get one so they can at least have an opportunity to earn something for their hard work.

[Anonymous]

Hard work is hard work. A job well done is a job well done. Take care of those who take care if you. I agree with the 10 20 rule. Doesn't matter if it's dinner, hair cut, nails, massage, etc... A good job is always 20% & round up. Folks, seriously???

[Anonymous]

The tip should be on the retail rate, if the massage is $90 your tip should be at least $20, if it's a good massage 25

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is exactly what I was thinking. Many people in this "industry" expect to get tipped when as most people have agreed it should be based on the service provided. While I do tip, it is only if I believe the individual deserves it. I have paid for a service and you are expected to do your best, if you don't why I should I compensate you any further? Because you have bills, family, etc? If it weren't for these customers (tippers or not), you would not have a job. Bottom line, if you are good at your job you don't have to worry about being tipped because you will be!

And this is why I hate the new tipping culture. I am supposed to tip cabbies for not helping me with my bags, My Gym employees for smiling while running kids' parties, etc. I have already paid for the service. Now I have to tip you for doing it decently? I know this is a tangent but this is part of the problem.

[Anonymous]

I just had a nice massage.. One hour back.. Half hour foot.. The girl was so good I planned to return.. But she was afended by my 15 dollar tip.. The service was 65.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think $85 for an hour is all they need. If you want more charge a higher price. I think tipping should be outlawed. I just want them to really tell me the price and be done with it. Restaurants, beauticians etc I respect your work but just charge what you want and leave it at that and let me relax and enjoy.

Agree. I have traveled to other countries and it is out of control here. This thread started a couple of years ago and we are all voicing our strident opinions so I will chime in as well. I browsed several posts ...the one thing I didn't read anyone mention is why isn't anyone talking about the restaurant owner for example. These are very rich people in most cases. have two friends who own restaurants. One has a small family style cafe and is very rich. How is it that they are allowed to get away with paying employees so poorly. Other employers wouldn't. I pay $18 for a plate of pasta and the owner pays minimum aware to the server. So I have to shell out more. What about tons of other people doing hard work in other industries including service industries who don't get paid tips.
To the massage therapist who was sarcastic and said she worked her butt off not sat at a desk. Those sitting at desks work just as hard or harder with other parts of their body, they get brain fag, carpal tunnel and may have spent yrs in education and spent tons of money on it. Why doesn't the doorman get paid a tip? They also serve who only stand and wait.

[Anonymous]

I'm a massage therapist. We don't receive half of the money you're paying for your massage. For a 90 minute massage at my place of employment (which is a great, fair place of employment) I make about 25% of what you're paying. Also, massage therapists aren't supposed to work a 40 hour week due to the high demand on our bodies. (How many jobs do you have to ice your entire arms after work?). Therefore it's harder to actually make a huge income just doing massage.

When I massage I am giving you 100% of my attention and exhausting my own body to bring relief to your's. I do believe that does deserve a tip. My anatomy knowledge and staying up to date. Me going above and beyond to make your experience as perfect as possible...some clients I read ahead on new tips for their specific condition. That all deserves a tip.

For me I'd say base rate. For a 60 minute no less than $10, for a 90 minute $15-20, for 2 hours $30. That's what most of my clients pay and that's reasonable and fair, considering your tip is you directly paying your therapist for her work not the charge you're paying for the building and music and heated table and candles.

As for if someone is a private contractor I used to do house calls with my table. Tips are great but not as big of a deal. If someone is driving to you...tip them. If you feel they really did an incredible job tip them. But honestly, since they are getting so much more of the pay its not as big of a deal which means not as big of a tip.

[Anonymous]

Also, as a massage therapist I am educated and did go to school for what I do as with everyone I work with. Most states require state licensing or national certification. Just for you up there with your doctorate that sits on a comfy chair and doesn't have to do stretches to prepare yourself for work.

[Anonymous]

Professional group membership is required- that's how we purchase our insurance which is required to work
We are certified and liscenced by the state nursing board and the county, sometimes the city
Most states required national certification which has changed to Board Certfication
Most states require at least 525 hours of massage specific education but many do have BAs or MAs
Continuing Ed is required to renew both liscences and certifications
We don't normally get even half of that hourly rate. Sometimes it's more like 20%

My parents and best friend have PhDs too, but they aren't condescending about my career choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Zero. My DW who is a PT, treats stroke patients, accident patients and people with various other conditions and gets them back on their feet/walking again such that they can live meaningful lives, earns less than $40 pr hour gets zero in tips so for a massage therapist earning $90-120 pr hour addressing non-life changing events/conditions, zero in tips sounds about right.

[Anonymous]

You keep missing the point: MTs make more like $12-20 an hour, they don't get the 90-120 you pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I should mention this is at a spa at a hotel. I am not staying at the hotel.