Do you like petting your dog? Well, why not get paid for it. In a the ever-growing animal industry, there is now the need for an animal massage therapist. With a salary that almost mirrors the audacity of the occupation, this new profession is setting a new standard to the term "creature comforts."
The Work
Should animal massage therapy be your career, you could be working in a number of places. Animal business such as groomers, pet sitters, veterinary clinics, kennels and zoos fill the majority of job locations; however, many animal massage therapists decide to open their own practice and make home visits to visit their furry clients.
The Salary
According to the Northwest School of Animal Massage, most animal massage therapists are paid per massage. The pay for each massage usually costs pet owners between $50 and $120 each. Then, add that for a full-time therapist who will usually average about 25 massages a week. If you were to calculate those earning estimates into a 52-week year, you'd come up with an annual salary range between $65,000 and $156,000. This figure of course wouldn't include additional charges for specialized treatment or travel costs.
However, don't get too excited about these numbers considering the fact that there are no statistics for how many full-time animal massage therapists are employed nationally. Most schools and programs for the profession usually market it as a possible appendage to a current massage or veterinary business.
Perhaps a better gauge for actual earnings might be the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' average annual pay for nonfarm animal caretakers that, as of May 2008, lists an average annual salary of $21,550 per year.
Training
Because the career is such a niche profession, there aren't many animal massage schools available. Most educational programs are structured like trade schools and base their curriculum around a set amount of hours. According to the Northwest School of Animal Massage, this time frame will usually run between 100 to 150 hours depending on the course level and take between 6 and 8 months to complete. Much of the studying, as you might guess, involves lots of hands-on training with the animals you'll be working with.
Salary by State
As of May 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that for all nonfarm animal services, which includes animal massage therapists, Hawaii is ranked the highest paying state at $28,890 per year for all occupations. Rhode Island follows in second at $25,700 per year. Massachusetts takes third at $24,860 per year. While Colorado, at $24,730 per year, and the District of Columbia at $24,660 fill out the last positions in the highest top five.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for animal care services is positive. They estimate that employment will rise by 19 percent, far higher than the average growth of 11 percent for all jobs. As with many job outlooks, the baby boomer generation is a factor here. As the generation ages and begins to earn additional disposable income, they'll also be more willing to spend money on disposable entertainments and trivial luxuries, which will be a boost for the animal massage industry.
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