MASSAGE THERAPY AS A CAREER PATH VIA COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND

College of the Mainland is offering a new program in Massage Therapy starting this fall.
 
The courses, offered through the college’s Continuing Education program, will start on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Classes are being offered on a part-time basis on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Salon at COM located at 11001 Delaney Rd., Suite 15009, in La Marque.
 
When the one-year course is completed, students will receive a Certificate in Massage Therapy and be eligible to take the state board exam. Upon passing, the student will be issued a massage therapy license.
 
Those interested in course are invited to attend an Open House for the Cosmetology Department on Monday, July 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet instructors and tour The Salon at COM.
 
Registration for the new massage therapy program is through the Continuing Education Department. To register call 409-933-8586 or visit the Continuing Education Office located in the Technical-Vocational Building, Room T-1475.
To get a feel for the kind of career this kind of training provides, we immediately checked Galveston County and found 16 openings for Massage Therapists offering from $40k to $60K per year with benefits. Considering a massage therapist also receives tips; on average from $7-$20 per session, that is a pretty good starting salary.
 
Though most positions are found in spas and franchise operations, therapeutic massage is also offered in Beauty and Tanning Salons and Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation in private hospitals and Chiropractor offices. Many licensed Therapists will go into business on their own after building a following or pair up with and combine their services with other complimentary services.
 
US News tells us that “The increasing number of spas and massage clinics in recent years underscores a growing demand for massage services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects massage therapist employment growth of 24 percent between 2016 and 2026, adding 37,700 more professionals to this field.” With the broad variety of health and wellness services offered throughout the Houston/Galveston area, this promises to be a vibrant career opportunity with increasing possibilities for growth.