The United States massage therapy industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade. The job outlook or projected percent change for the next decade is 22, much faster than the average for all occupations! Massage therapists work in a variety of professional settings, including their own office or home, health care facilities, spa and leisure venues, and client's offices or homes. Sole or self-employed practitioners are the largest group of therapists.
If you're ready to buy a massage business, know that experts expect the industry to continue to grow. In the last five years, almost 60 million Americans received at least one massage, which led to industry revenue growth of approximately 4 percent. Experts expect this trend to continue because of the aging baby boomer population, which will desire more treatment in the years to come.
Data shows that the primary reason people give for a massage is medical, followed by reasons for relaxation and stress reduction, pain relief or management, muscle soreness, recovery or rehabilitation, pampering, well-being, and health. If you're actively looking for a massage business to buy, keep the following factors in mind:
- The location, geographical range and client base of the massage business
- The scope of the business (facilities, staff, and assets) for standard, specialized and personalized services
- The licensing requirements of the state, if applicable
Massage industry pundits expect massage therapy opportunities to increase with an increase in disposable income. Therefore, if you're interested in massage businesses for sale, it's a good idea to think about the specialized or value-added services you can bring to the table.
Whether you wish to focus on pain relief or relaxation massage, do your research on the potential client base and the feasibility and cost of offering these types of services at your office or off-site.