Everything you need to write a highly professional, comprehensive Licensed Massage Therapist job description. Attract skilled, empathetic, and fully credentialed bodywork experts for your spa, clinic, or wellness center.
Demand
+18% Job Growth
Role Summary
A Certified Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) is a highly trained healthcare and wellness professional who manipulates the soft tissues of the body to relieve pain, reduce stress, rehabilitate sports injuries, and promote overall holistic health. They operate at the intersection of clinical anatomy, intuitive healing, and premium customer service.
Whether working in a serene luxury spa, a fast-paced chiropractic clinic, or traveling as a corporate wellness provider, an LMT must possess immense physical stamina, a deep understanding of kinesiology, and the empathy required to create a safe, healing environment for diverse clientele.
Duties & Responsibilities
A Massage Therapist’s responsibilities extend far beyond the massage table. Client safety, clinical documentation, and room hygiene are critical to the role.
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Client Consultation & Intake
Review client medical histories, assess their current physical condition, and identify any contraindications before beginning treatment to ensure maximum safety and efficacy.
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Performing Tailored Treatments
Administer various massage modalities (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release) customized entirely to the client's specific pain points and pressure preferences.
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Clinical Documentation
Maintain accurate, legally compliant SOAP notes (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) after each session, which is especially critical in clinical and chiropractic settings.
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Sanitation & Room Maintenance
Change table linens, sanitize face cradles, and clean massage tools (hot stones, cupping sets) between every client, strictly adhering to state health department standards.
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Client Retention & Upgrades
Recommend follow-up treatment plans, suggest at-home stretching routines, and promote service add-ons (aromatherapy, CBD oil) to drive client retention and revenue.
Daily Tasks (The Wellness Cycle)
Review the day's booking schedule via POS software. Prepare the treatment room by setting ambient lighting/music, heating the towel cabi, and prepping required massage oils and lotions.
Perform back-to-back 60 to 90-minute massages. Efficiently manage the crucial 10-15 minute "turnover" period between clients to sanitize the room and review the next client's intake notes.
Complete all required SOAP notes for the day. Perform a deep clean of the treatment room, restock clean linens from the laundry area, and check out with the front desk receptionist.
Requirements & Credentials
Educational Background
Therapists must graduate from an accredited massage therapy program. Programs typically require between 500 and 1,000 hours of intensive classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice covering anatomy, physiology, pathology, and kinesiology.
Licensure & Certification
- State License: A current, valid license to practice massage therapy in the hiring state is an absolute legal requirement.
- MBLEx / NCBTMB: Most states require a passing score on the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or Board Certification.
- Liability Insurance: Must carry active professional liability insurance (commonly through AMTA or ABMP).
Physical Demands
- Stamina: Ability to stand, lean, and apply sustained manual pressure for 5 to 7 hours of active massage time per day.
- Body Mechanics: Deep understanding of proper biomechanics to prevent therapist injury and career burnout.
- Dexterity: Excellent manual dexterity and hand/grip strength to perform deep tissue and trigger point work.
Core Skills to Highlight
A deep, clinical understanding of muscle groups, fascia, and skeletal structures to target the root cause of client pain.
Paying close attention during intake to understand client goals, and checking in on pressure levels during the massage.
Creating a safe, non-judgmental, and deeply relaxing atmosphere where clients feel comfortable holding vulnerable space.
Pacing the massage perfectly so all requested body parts are addressed without running over the scheduled appointment time.
Seamlessly blending modalities (e.g., mixing Swedish relaxation with localized deep tissue work) based on real-time tissue response.
The ability to naturally build rapport, rebook clients before they leave the building, and build a consistent, loyal book of business.
Tools & Software
A modern LMT must be proficient with both physical massage tools and the digital software used to run the business.
Experience using spa scheduling platforms like Mindbody, Boulevard, Booker, or Vagaro to review schedules and enter SOAP notes.
Proficiency with tools that save the therapist's hands, including percussive massage guns (e.g., Theragun, Hypervolt), hot basalt stones, or silicone/glass cupping sets.
Understanding how to properly operate hydraulic or portable massage tables, hot towel cabinets (cabies), and essential oil diffusers.
Types of Massage Therapist Roles
The setting completely dictates the pace and type of massage performed. Job descriptions should be tailored to these specific environments.
Resort / Day Spa LMT
Focuses primarily on relaxation, stress reduction, and luxury customer service. Heavily utilizes Swedish massage, aromatherapy, body scrubs, and hot stones.
Clinical / Chiropractic LMT
Focuses on pain management and injury rehabilitation. Works alongside doctors to perform specific, targeted medical massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy.
Sports Massage Therapist
Works with athletes in gyms or on the field. Focuses on pre-event stimulation, post-event recovery, deep tissue, and assisted stretching techniques (like PNF).
Mobile / Corporate LMT
Travels to clients' homes with a portable table, or sets up a massage chair in corporate offices to provide 15-minute clothed chair massages for employee wellness events.
Salary & Compensation Expectations
Average Hourly + Tips
$25 - $50/hr
Annual Range
$50k - $85k+
Massage Therapy compensation structures are unique and must be explicitly detailed in your job posting. Common structures include:
- Commission Split: The therapist takes a percentage of the total service cost (e.g., a 40/60 or 50/50 split). This is highly motivating but means pay fluctuates with the booking schedule.
- Base Hourly + Commission + Tips: An increasingly popular model (W2 employment) where therapists earn a lower guaranteed hourly rate while in the building, plus a commission per massage and 100% of their tips.
- Independent Contractor (1099): Mobile and clinical therapists are often 1099 contractors who negotiate a flat rate per massage, allowing for more schedule flexibility but requiring them to pay self-employment taxes.
Interactive JD Templates
Cycle through our pre-written, highly professional job description templates tailored to different wellness environments. Review the requirements and copy them directly to your clipboard for your ATS or job board.
Spa & Wellness Center LMT
Sample Job Description Structure
A great job description clearly delineates the required modalities, the compensation structure, and the company culture. Here is an example of a perfectly structured posting:
Clinic: Apex Chiropractic & Wellness
Job Title: Licensed Massage Therapist (Clinical Focus)
About Us:
Apex Chiropractic is a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to holistic pain management and sports rehabilitation. We are seeking a highly skilled, clinically-minded Licensed Massage Therapist to partner with our doctors to accelerate our patients' healing journeys.
The Role:
You will provide targeted, therapeutic bodywork focusing on deep tissue, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release. You will review doctor treatment plans, track patient progress via digital SOAP notes, and maintain a sterile, professional treatment environment.
Core Responsibilities:
- Perform 5-6 therapeutic massages per shift (60-90 minute sessions).
- Customize treatments to address specific musculoskeletal issues and injuries.
- Maintain highly accurate and compliant SOAP notes in our EHR system.
- Sanitize treatment rooms, change linens, and restock supplies between clients.
Requirements & Benefits:
- Active, unencumbered State Massage Therapy License and Liability Insurance.
- Proficiency in Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, and Trigger Point Therapy.
- W2 Employee Status: $35/massage hour + $15/hr administrative pay + 100% Tips.
- Benefits: Paid time off, free monthly chiropractic adjustments, and $300 annual CEU reimbursement.
Resume Advice for Applicants
When evaluating LMT resumes (or crafting your own), look for clear evidence of licensure, specific technical skills, and client retention abilities.
- List Your License Boldly: Your state license number and its expiration date should be at the very top of your resume, right under your name. Employers won't interview you without confirming this.
- Detail Your Modalities: Don't just say "Massage Therapist." Explicitly list your modalities: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Hot Stone, Cupping.
- Highlight Retention Metrics: Spas want therapists who build a regular clientele. Include metrics like: "Maintained an 85% client request/rebook rate, building a fully booked schedule within 3 months."
- Include Continuing Education (CEUs): Highlight specialized certifications you have taken post-graduation (e.g., Oncology Massage, Lymphatic Drainage) to show your commitment to the craft.
How to Write a Compelling Job Description
The massage therapy job market is highly competitive. Great therapists will only apply to jobs that are transparent about pay, workload, and physical boundaries.
Clarify Compensation
Be extremely clear. Is it a W2 or 1099 role? What is the commission split? Do they get paid a base hourly rate when a client no-shows? Ambiguity here will deter top talent.
Define the Workload
Specify the physical expectations. Are therapists expected to do six deep-tissue massages in a row? Guaranteeing adequate break times prevents therapist burnout.
Highlight Modalities Needed
If your spa relies heavily on prenatal massage or ashiatsu, state that in the job title. It saves time by filtering out therapists who do not practice those modalities.
Career Progression: The Wellness Path
Massage therapy offers a dynamic career path with opportunities for specialization, management, and entrepreneurship.
Student / Apprentice
Completing the required 500-1,000 hours of schooling. Working in the student clinic to gain hands-on experience and preparing for the state board exams (MBLEx).
Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
Working in a franchise spa, luxury resort, or chiropractic clinic. Building a robust clientele, perfecting time management, and learning new modalities via continuing education.
Lead Therapist / Dual-Licensed
Mentoring junior therapists, creating treatment protocols, and conducting practical interviews. Many therapists also become dual-licensed as Estheticians to offer full spa packages.
Spa Manager / Private Practice Owner
Transitioning off the massage table to oversee spa operations, manage staff, or opening an independent private practice and setting your own premium rates.
Where to Find Bodywork Talent
If you want to hire the best licensed professionals, you need to post where verified therapists look for work.
Local Massage Schools
Build relationships with local accredited massage therapy programs. They have dedicated career boards and can pipeline eager new graduates directly to your spa.
Indeed & ZipRecruiter
The highest volume platforms for local hiring. Be sure to use screening questions asking for their active license number to filter out unqualified applicants immediately.
AMTA & ABMP Job Boards
The American Massage Therapy Association and Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals host job boards accessed by thousands of insured, certified members.
Conclusion
A skilled massage therapist doesn't just provide a service; they provide healing, stress relief, and a massive boost to your wellness business's reputation. Vague job descriptions will fail to attract therapists who have spent thousands of hours perfecting their craft.
By explicitly detailing your compensation structure, the expected daily physical workload, the required modalities, and the perks you offer, you will attract elite, licensed professionals who will build a fiercely loyal client base for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Certification usually means the therapist has graduated from an accredited school or passed a national exam (like the NCBTMB). Licensure is the legal requirement granted by a specific state government allowing them to legally practice and touch clients. A therapist must be licensed to practice legally in almost all US states.
SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. It is a standard method of clinical documentation used by healthcare providers and massage therapists to record a client's symptoms, the therapist's physical findings, the treatment applied, and the plan for future sessions.
If the spa dictates the therapist's schedule, requires them to wear a uniform, and provides the room/lotions, they must legally be classified as a W2 employee. 1099 independent contractors generally set their own hours, bring their own supplies, and have significant control over their practice.
Yes, it is highly recommended and often mandatory. Even if a spa provides blanket coverage, individual therapists should carry their own professional liability insurance (often through associations like AMTA or ABMP) to protect themselves against potential client claims or injuries.
To prevent severe repetitive strain injuries and career burnout, industry standards suggest a therapist should perform no more than 4 to 6 hours of hands-on massage per day. Spas must also build in 15-minute turnover/rest breaks between clients.