You have your license and you are ready to start your career as
a massage therapist. That’s great! You still have some tough choices to make
though. You probably know that some massage therapists work as independent
contractors while others work as employees for a spa or other established
business. How should you choose?
First, you need to understand the basic differences between the
two types of work. In general, an independent contractor either works on her
own or leases out space within an establishment. The individual is responsible
for her own expenses and drumming up her own clients. An employee may have set
hours and established rules to follow based on the employer. In fact, the
Department of Labor has a set of guidelines that distinguishes if a
worker is an independent contractor or employee.
Once you are sure you understand the difference between the
two, it’s time to weigh your pros and cons for each.
Independent Contractor
Think being your own boss is the way to go? Here are a few
things to consider.
Pros
●
Flexibility – You can set your own hours and
work as much (or as little) as you like. This opens up a world of opportunity!
●
No income limitations – You choose how much to
charge your clients and how many clients you see each week. You don’t have to
split that money with an employer.
●
Taxes - You don’t have taxes taken out of each
paycheck.
●
No Non-compete - You won’t have to sign those
pesky non-compete agreements if you want to move on
to a new location.
●
Full Cut – If you charge $60 for an hour-long
massage, that’s how much you get to keep (for now).
Cons
●
Less security – If you can’t find enough
clients, you won’t make a lot of money. It’s all up to you.
●
No benefits – If you want a 401K retirement plan
or health insurance, you have to find it on your own and you won’t get the
perks of employer matching. Paid time off or worker’s compensation? Forget
about it.
●
Equipment and supplies cost – You’re responsible
for buying all of your own equipment and supplies from oils, candles,
and music, to the right massage table.
●
No training – You’re licensed, so you have the
skills, but you won’t get any extra training that an experienced employer could
provide.
●
Taxes – While they don’t come out of each check,
you will have to pay income tax as well as self-employment tax. Be ready for
that.
Employee
Perhaps you’re looking into a job at an established spa. There
are things to consider there, too.
Pros
●
Set Hours – You won’t have to feel guilty for
not working all of the time. You can get on a set schedule that works for you and
your employer.
●
No Client Hunting – Your employer is responsible
for finding new clients, not you. For some massage therapists, that’s worth
everything.
●
Benefits – As an employee, you may get the perks
of paid time off, 401K (with a matching percent), and health insurance.
Cons
●
Schedule – As an employee, you may have a
schedule that isn’t ideal for you. While you may have some paid leave, you
won’t have the freedom to take off on a whim.
●
You’ll Have a Boss – As an employee, you’ll have
a boss and sometimes they’ll make you do things you’d rather not like work
overtime.
●
A Small Cut of the Massage Price – While the
client may pay $60 or more for that hour-long massage, your cut of that may be
less than half. The employer needs to pay for those supplies, the electric
bill, and insurance, etc.
So what’s the verdict? There really is no right or wrong
answer. It all depends on what you want out of your career. As an independent
contractor, you may have to work a little harder to make it, but the sky's the
limit. On the other hand, working as an employee offers consistency and
stability that may appeal to you. Just because you choose one today, doesn’t
mean you can’t make a change somewhere down the road.
Regardless of your choice, you are ready to enjoy a rewarding
career in the field of massage therapy. Embrace it and enjoy all it has to
offer!
About the Author
Robert Ellis is the owner of Massage
Tables Now, an e-commerce store that offers massage tables and
accessories for massage therapists.
