Employed or Self Employed?
Ok, this is a big one so grab a cuppa and get comfy, we are going in!
A question you may be asking yourself is, should you look for an employed massage therapy role, or start working for yourself?
There is no universally “best” answer. Employment and self-employment offer different combinations of stability, flexibility, responsibility and of course, a bit of risk too. The right choice depends on your finances, confidence, preferred working environment and long-term goals.
This guide compares both routes and suggests a lower-risk way to decide.
What is the difference between employed and self-employed massage work?
An employed massage therapist works for an organisation such as a spa, salon, clinic, hotel, gym or wellness centre. The employer normally controls the working arrangement, takes control of all bookings, re-bookings and customer payments, pays the therapist through its payroll and creates the business environment.
A self-employed massage therapist runs their own service and is responsible for finding clients, setting prices, managing bookings, keeping records and handling business costs. They may work from home, travel to clients, rent a treatment room or operate from a shared clinic.
You can also be employed and self-employed at the same time—for example, working at a spa while building a private client list at evenings or weekends.
Employed massage therapy: the main advantages
For newly qualified therapists, employment can provide a structured start. Not only that, but you will have a supportive team and access to free additional training. This support and training access alone is why I recommend to all new students to do a stint in a spa, even if it is just for a short period of time. See employment, even a few days a week, as a way to come in to contact with a large number of people to boost your confidence and enable you to really practise all of your new skills, without the pressure of it being your own business.
Financial predictability is another important benefit. An employed role may provide regular wages, subject to the contract and working hours, which can make it easier to budget while you develop your technique and/or, your business. Depending on the role and your employment status, you may also receive workplace benefits and employment rights that are not normally available to someone who is genuinely self-employed.
Reason’s employment way be a winner for you!
Make new friends! Honestly some of my favourite people and closest friends, have come from my spa and clinic years.
Allows you to build confidence with support around you.
Gain experience with different clients.
Avoid taking on immediate responsibility for marketing and administration.
Maintain a clearer separation between work and personal time, especially if self employment means working from home!
Free training! This can not be stressed enough, free training is the best and will only elevate your current skills and knowledge.
Employed: the not so great bits
Employment may offer less control over your schedule and treatment style. You could be expected to work evenings, weekends or busy seasonal periods. The employer may decide which treatments you provide, how long appointments last and which products you use. When applying for roles, make sure they weekend and evening commitment is clearly stated and make them aware that you will not be able to do any more than that, if that is the case.
The workplace itself matters. A supportive team can accelerate your development, while a rushed or poorly organised environment can make it harder to deliver the standard of care you want. When possible, visit the premise and ask to be shown around so you can get a feel for whether it is somewhere you could spend your days.
Money. Look, there is no point sugar coating it but sadly the pay, especially in hotel spa spaces, is not great. You are looking at £13 to £15 in spas, up to maybe £18 in more experienced roles or clinic spaces. But, if you take into account the support and training then you may see the benefit, regardless of the pay.
Self-employed: the main advantages
Self-employment gives you more control. It also gives you freedom. You can decide which services to offer, who you want to work with, how you present yourself and your space, and whether you operate from a clinic, home, mobile setting or rented room. Over time, you may be able to build a schedule that fits around family responsibilities, another job or even further study.
You also have the opportunity to develop an asset of your own! Your own client base and a reputation connected to your business, rather than an employer. You can test specialist services, create packages, form referral relationships and improve your processes as you learn what clients value.
Self-employment may be a winner for you if…
You want to work clients around your existing schedule. Whether that is another job, child care or even your hobbies. Time freedom is the ultimate win for most people and why they turn to massage as a career.
The idea of making £50 to £70 an hour is certainly better than £13 at the local spa.
You have an idea of who your dream clients are and want to create specific treatments for them.
You like the idea of creating a network of connecting business’s you can link with and support.
You want to be able to take holiday time and days off whenever you want! Imagine never having to ask permission for a day off, ever again…
You have the drive and motivation to promote your services.
You thrive working independently and like the idea of being your own boss.
Self-employed: the responsibilities to plan for
With being self employed, the biggest adjustment is that treatment time is only one part of the job. You will also need time for enquiries, consultations, booking administration, cleaning, stock control, accounts, marketing, professional development and client follow-up. If you charge £50 for a one-hour treatment, that is not automatically £50 of personal income. You may need to account for room hire, travel, oils and consumables, booking software, card fees, insurance, training, tax… you know, all the elements of running your own business.
If your self-employed income is more than £1,000 in a UK tax year, GOV.UK says you generally need to register as a sole trader through Self Assessment; other circumstances can also require registration. You should keep accurate records and check current HMRC guidance rather than relying on informal online advice. My biggest tip, especially when you are starting out is, get an accountant. They know all the fab loop holes and the best ways to keep you and your finances safe. Plus, it is one less thing for you to think or worry about!
You will also need to be responsible for your own insurances.
So look, self employment has some HUGE pro’s working on it’s side but it does also come with plenty of other things that you are now responsible for. It may seem a lot but honestly, you can make your business as complex, or as simple, as you want. It really does not have to be complicated.
Things that may put you off being the boss after all…
There really are lots of ‘unpaid’ hours. Bookings, admin, accounts, laundry etc.
It’s great being able to take holiday whenever you want, but you can kiss goodbye to holiday pay. Or sick pay.
You will need to learn to budget and use your finances differently. Nest eggs, financial security nets are all a good idea in case you need to stop working for any reason.
You may have to learn to use new technologies. Booking systems, websites, card machines etc.
Never done marketing before? Well, you are about to learn! See it is a new adventure :)
You can have absolute financial freedom, or financial instability. You wont be busy all the time, how will you financially support yourself during the quiet times?
Which route is better for a newly trained student?
There is no perfect answer. If you have been on training with me you will have heard me say that if in doubt, employment can be the stronger first step. It gives you a chance to practise consistently, observe how a professional service operates and learn what types of clients and treatments you enjoy and majorly boost your confidence. O, and the free training thing. You can use this period to improve your consultation skills, refine your treatment timings and understand the costs behind a viable practice. But, they pay sucks a bit
Self-employment may be the right choice if you already have a clear offer, access to suitable premises, enough financial breathing room and the motivation to manage the business side. You do not need to know everything on day one, no one ever does! But you do need a plan for safety, insurance, pricing, records and client acquisition. All of this is either something you are excited to take on and learn, or something you want to avoid.
Often, for many newly trained therapists, the most practical answer is a hybrid pathway. You might take an employed role for stable experience while offering a limited number of private appointments outside those hours.
A simple decision framework
Start by writing down your priorities for the next 12 months. If your first priority is reliable income and supervised experience, employment may be the better match. If your priority is autonomy and building a business, self-employment may be more appropriate. If both matter, consider a gradual combination rather than an all-or-nothing decision.
Then test the financial reality. Estimate your monthly personal costs and business costs. For self-employment, calculate how many paid treatments you would need after allowing for cancellations, travel, preparation and expenses. Use conservative assumptions.
An exercise I do every year is sit down with all of my normal day to day outgoings and work out, how much do I need to cover my living essentials on average, each month? Mortgage contribution, phone bill, food etc. How many hours of treatments a month is that? On top of that you also need to add your business expenses, what are they? Web domains, oils, linens - luckily massage doesn’t have major monthly outgoings, which is great. How many more treatments do you need to do to cover that? That is your absolute minimum number of hours you need to be working.
For most people, this usually looks like 6 to 8 treatments a week. 6 to 8 hours a week ain’t a bad working week, hey?!
Two treatments a day, five days a week, at £60 an hour = gross profit of £2400pcm. That’s an annual salary of £28,800. Working hands on, for two hours a day.
So, what come’s next…
You do not have to choose your permanent career model immediately. Your first role can be a learning stage, and your direction can change as your confidence and client experience grows.
The strongest path is the one that allows you to deliver safe, professional treatments while building a sustainable working life. Whether that begins in a spa, clinic, rented room or your own mobile practice, focus first on excellent client care and sound foundations. The business model can develop from there and just like your treatments, will evolve, grow and develop with you over time.
You’ve got this!