A Day in the Life of a Massage Therapist: How Much Did I Actually Make?
Hey hey! I’m Steph the Massage Therapist, and today I want to give you a real, unfiltered look into what a full workday looks like for me — cancellations, tips, and all.
🕗 8:16 AM — Let’s Get Started!
It’s early morning, and I’ve got a full schedule ahead. As of now, I have six one-hour appointments booked today, each at $100 (not including tax). In Ontario, we charge HST, but for simplicity, let’s talk about the take-home amount — just the income after taxes.
So if all goes well, my potential income today is $600. But that’s just potential. Let’s see how the day actually plays out.
🧖 10:00 AM — First Client Done
My first massage is done and dusted. That’s $100 in the books. I always leave 15 minutes between clients to clean and reset — especially important when you’re working solo from home. Never book back-to-back unless you have someone helping you. Those 15 minutes are golden!
🧼 11:21 AM — Client #2: Another Success
Just wrapped up my second session. So far, things are smooth and steady — that’s another $100, bringing my total up to $200. Even if I only had these two clients today, that would still be a decent income for the time spent.
But of course, my weekly goal is more than that, so we keep going.
🍱 12:42 PM — Third Massage & Lunch Break
Client number three is done — $300 total so far! After that, I’m taking a well-deserved lunch break.
Quick tip: Please don’t rush your meals. I used to eat so fast between sessions, and it left me feeling stressed and sluggish. Now I take at least an hour to reset, relax, and enjoy my food. This helps me serve better for the rest of the day.
💆 2:55 PM — Four Clients In
Massage number four just wrapped up. This client wanted a light, relaxing massage — not too heavy on my hands, but still rewarding work.
Now we’re at $400 for the day, and I still have two more clients scheduled… or so I thought.
❌ 3:39 PM — A Last-Minute Cancellation
Ouch — my 3:00 PM client canceled last minute. That’s a $100 loss.
But there’s a silver lining — one of my earlier clients left a $30 tip via e-transfer. I don’t expect or ask for tips, but I do appreciate the love when it comes in. So now I’m at $430 total.
This is a great reminder that cancellations happen — no matter how solid your schedule looks in the morning. Always factor that in when calculating your income.
🧍♂️ 8:11 PM — Final Client of the Day
Just wrapped up with my fifth and final client. He came a bit early, and I spent extra time on self-care guidance and stretches, so I wrapped up a bit later than planned.
Total income for the day: $530.
Not quite the $600 I hoped for, but close enough to call it a win!
💬 Final Thoughts: How Much Can You Really Make as an RMT?
So, what did we learn from today?
💡 Your Daily Limit Matters
I know my personal capacity — five to six clients per day max. That’s what I can handle while still giving quality care and protecting my own health. Some therapists can see 8–10 clients, and that’s great too! You just need to find your balance.
💡 Don’t Let Cancellations Break You
They're part of the business. You’ll have no-shows or emergencies, even with a cancellation policy in place. It’s disappointing, yes, but instead of stressing, I take it as time to rest, catch up on errands, or prep for the next day.
💡 Think in Weekly Totals, Not Daily
I don’t focus on hitting a daily number. I aim for 15–20 clients per week, which brings in about $1,500–$2,000 depending on tips or session lengths. Some weeks are slower, some are packed — it all evens out.
👋 That’s a Wrap!
At the end of the day, massage therapy isn’t just about the money — it’s about serving people and finding the balance between giving care and taking care of yourself.
Thanks for spending the day with me! If you liked this behind-the-scenes peek into my life, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. I’ve got more coming your way soon.
