Massage therapy settings and opportunities for employment beyond private practice include: chiropractic offices, health cubs and fitness centers, spas, salons, resorts, sports medicine centers, hospitals, hospice, corporations, stress reduction centers, and massage therapy clinics.

The majority of massage therapists are self-employed. Those working at spas or clinics generally work for an hourly wage or commission. A self-employed MT with advanced skills and a larger client base will generally have the highest earnings. Surveys have shown that about 90 percent of MT graduates seeking employment are employed one year after graduation. About 60 percent of MTs  work part-time because of the occupation's physical demands.