Some possible jobs within this career area are:
Health care careers require a variety of degrees and/or certifications. In fact, many people in the health care industry return to school for updated training or certification. Commonly offered degree and certification programs include:
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- PhD
- Career-Specific Certification
With our baby boomer generation aging, the health care field is growing exponentially. From an increased need for pharmacists and technicians to growing demand for medical records specialists, there are jobs related to health care throughout the nation. You can make yourself a more marketable candidate by returning to school and broadening your knowledge base.
Because there are so many different types of degrees available in the health care world, it also means that it can take a varied amount of time to get certified or start your career. Many technicians can get their certificates in one or two years, but a large percentage of workers return to school to get additional training or a degree. Generally, the more education completed, the higher the salary.
How to Become a Massage Therapist
A career in massage therapy involves formal training on manipulating the soft-tissue muscles of the body. Once you become a massage therapist you may help treat pain from illnesses, overwork, stress, and sports injuries. Many in the massage therapist career field work part time, and many are self employed. There are over 80 different types, or modalities, of massage and you may choose to specialize in several. Most states have laws in place requiring those in a massage therapy career to be licensed or certified.
Massage Therapy Education
Training to become a massage therapist typically takes two years and involves 500 or more study hours; it is important that you check on your state regulations and verify that your school or college of choice is accredited for the type of certificate or license required by your state of residence. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) typical class subjects for a massage therapist career are physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, organs and tissues, and the study of motion and body mechanics as well as business management and business ethics. A great portion of your class time will be the hands-on practice of massage; you may also choose to take classes in specific modalities such as Swedish massage, reflexology, or sports massage.
Massage Therapist Salaries
The need for massage therapists is expected to grow by 19 percent in the next decade. Because many massage therapists work part time your annual earnings may vary from the national averages. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that in 2008 the median massage therapist salary was $16.78 per hour, which includes gratuities. The lowest ten percent earned about $8.00 per hour, and the highest ten percent of massage therapist salaries was over $33.47. The average annual wage was $34,900; the lowest ten percent of massage therapist salaries was $17,970 and the highest ten percent earned over $69,000 per year. (Salary data retrieved 6/25/11)
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