Massage Therapists are as diverse as the treatments they offer and many have differing opinions on tipping. There is no one size fits all answer to the question "Should I tip my massage therapist" but this blog will explore when it may or may not be appropriate.
Medical Office Massage: Some Massage Therapists work out of medical or chiropractic offices and consider themselves part of the medical community. They may have the mindset that if you don't tip your doctor, you shouldn't tip them. Often these therapists charge a higher rate for their sessions as they've most likely invested a lot of time and money into their training. Their higher premium negates the need for additional money in the form of gratuity from a client. A medical office may also have a policy in place that tipping is not allowed.
Resorts and Spas: A Massage Therapist that works at a resort or spa often works on commission which means that they receive a portion of what you pay for your service. Some establishments pay as much as 50% but most pay 20-30%. So if you get a $100 service at a spa, your therapist may only collect $20 of that service. Generally, it is greatly appreciated when clients choose to leave a gratuity for the therapist when the session is over. Some spas do build a gratuity in the price of your service. They will mention this to you either at booking or when checking out. If they don't mention a built-in tip, you can ask.
Franchises: Franchises are great places for massage therapists to work because they provide an environment where the therapist can focus solely on the work they love and don't have a lot of responsibility outside of massage. Plus, due to their size and resources, they can advertise well and bring in more clients for massage therapists to work with. However, the cost of owning and operating a franchise is usually quite high so therapists at franchises often make low to mid $20's for an hour. Gratuity is typically not built into the cost of your massage at a franchise but is almost always greatly appreciated.
Private Practices: Well Rested Massage is an example of a private practice; I do not have any employees at my practice but some private practices do employ other massage therapists. If you are seeing a massage therapist at a private practice who is not the owner, generally gratuity is appreciated. Most employees are sharing some of the profit with the owner of the establishment. Some owners of private practices who see clients at their offices don't accept gratuity and I've heard that it isn't proper etiquette to tip the owner of an establishment, however, that's not a rule I understand. Personally, I feel that if the owner is a licensed professional who is providing a service they are as entitled to a gratuity as an employee. As an owner I never expect gratuity but I always appreciate it! I try to keep my prices on the lower end of the average for massages in my area so that treatment is accessible to anyone who needs it and someone who is in pain and needs a massage doesn't have to suffer because they can't afford it. I would never deny a client a service due to their inability to leave a tip and if someone can't, or simply chooses not to tip, they will still receive my best.
Why Should I Tip? Gratuity helps your therapist supplement their income. If a therapist is commission based and making $20-$30 an hour that may sound like a livable wage, but keep in mind, most therapists don't work 40 hours a week. Massage Therapy is a physically taxing job and many therapists need to limit their working hours to 20-25 hours a week. Being a massage therapist is expensive! We need up-to-date licenses, liability insurance, and continuing education to keep us in the game. Your gratuity helps us pay our bills.
When In Doubt-ASK!: If you aren't sure if you should tip your massage therapist, it is perfectly acceptable to ask! I would never be offended by someone asking if I accept tips. The industry standard is 20% for a job well done. If you can give more, that's great! If you need to do less, that's OK too!
Be Well,
Tiffany
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