How Much Should You Really Tip a Massage Therapist? - Massage & Fitness Magazine (2023)

FAQs

How much do you tip for a 60-minute massage? ›

In general, the 20% rule applies to tipping your massage therapist. So, if you're wondering how much to tip for a $100 massage, you'd want to tip $20. If you're considering how much to tip for a 60-minute massage (that costs $100) – you'd still tip $20. However, generosity is generally very appreciated.

Since tips are standard protocol for massage therapists, you should assume a 20 percent tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive). Not sure? When in doubt, always ask, says Post, who says tipping is always appreciated.

Tipping about 20% is customary in the "spa realm," says Taelour Wagler, a licensed massage therapist and owner of The Middle Wellness Center in Grand Junction, Colorado. (That's about how much to tip a hairdresser, too.)

Yes, you should tip at least 20% based on the regular cost of the service, even if you're using a coupon or gift certificate, says Sokolosky. So if a massage normally costs $100, tip $20 even if you have a coupon that discounts the massage to $90 or a gift card that covers the full cost.

The standard tipping rate for a massage is 20%. So, for a $50 massage, you can tip $10. You can increase or lower your tip depending on how satisfied you are with their services.

Do You Tip a Massage Therapist? Although a tip is never required, if your massage is at a spa or hotel in North America, a 20 percent tip is standard if you were pleased with the service. (The exception is all-inclusive spas that have a no-tip policy.)

Tipping is generally expected in a spa setting. This is because, as I mentioned before, many spas pay their therapists a base rate that is lower than average. Spas also employ estheticians, so it's customary for the client to tip each of their service providers at their spa visit.

To keep your body in good condition and maintain health, we recommend getting a massage every 3-4 weeks. This will help to prevent injury, pain, and tension build-up in the muscle fibers, as well as address any other issue before it becomes serious.

For a full-body massage, you can opt to keep your pants on or go completely in the buff. You'll find that most massage therapists are very skilled at protecting your modesty and making you feel comfortable; you'll never have to uncover anything you'd rather not.

How do you know if a massage therapist is good? ›

As mentioned earlier, a good massage therapist must show a genuine interest in clients' health and well-being. They must possess the ability to use different modalities/approaches to address clients' needs. They must provide an ethical and professional environment for the client at all times.

While tipping a massage therapist is common practice at a spa, you don't need to do that here. Chiropractors are not massage therapists, and don't require a tip. Treat them as you would any other doctor who was providing you with a medical service.

Some independent massage therapists charge all-inclusive rates for their services, but generally tipping 20 percent for spa services like massages, facials and more is advised.

How much should you tip for a pedicure? Toes are no different than fingers when it comes to nail care. That means you should follow the same etiquette for how much to tip for a pedicure—15 to 20%—says Wilson.

Standard tip rate

The general guideline on tipping for a massage is around 25 percent of the total cost. It's a standard that's pretty similar to tipping at a restaurant. At a minimum, an appropriate massage tip is around 20 percent of the cost of the massage.

A therapist is still able to perform a high quality massage even if their client is asleep. It's not rude, nor does it insult them in anyway. In fact, sleeping through a massage is a compliment to the therapist. Falling asleep tells them you are relaxed and comfortable and enjoying the time on their table.

Shower. While your intentions might be in the right place, a hot shower prior to your massage is actually not recommended. “A hot rinse right before your massage can increase your circulation as well and your chances of sweating through the session.

“We recommend tipping 15% – 20% based on each client's comfort and satisfaction with the massage,” said Meng. Luckily for Soothe, their clients have increased the average tipping percentage in 2021 from 18 to 20 percent. So if a 60-minute massage costs $80, the tip would be $12 to $16.

You tip your nail tech and hair stylist but not your massage therapist. RMTs are professionals and just as you don't tip your doctor, dentist or teacher, you do not tip your massage therapist.

How much do you tip on a $125 massage? ›

15-20% of the bill, including drinks. 10% unless their credit card machine is "broken", then no tip.

Is it okay to talk during a massage? Yes it is, as the client you can choose to converse with your therapist whenever you want. If you want to talk, feel chatty or just want to be heard it can be an important part of the letting go process.

It's not necessary to shave prior to getting a massage. Most times the massage therapist will not realize it or mind it at all if they did notice. A spa will not demand you to remove your body hair before your appointment. In reality, whether you decide to shave or keep your body hair is entirely up to you.

If you tend to get sleepy from a massage, you should have it as late in the day as possible so that you can just go home afterwards. If you don't want massage to take time out of your day, you can get one early in the morning. It will help you to feel rejuvenated.

A typical massage can be as short at 10 minutes, or as long as two hours. Most often, you will hear people asking for a half hour, hour or ninety minute session.

Remain Fully Clothed

You'll be happy to know that you can head to your massage fully clothed. If you opt for this route, consider the clothes you want to wear and what might or might not work. It's best to leave heavy fabrics, such as denim or wool, at home and choose lighter clothes that are thin and form-fitting.

Red flags refer in the main to the identification of serious pathology including cancer, fractures and infections. Some of these agreed red flags include: severe pain. worsening pain or constant pain.

A good therapist lets their client control the amount of talking during the treatment. There will always be a small amount of conversation from the therapist when they checking in with you during the treatment.

Do I tip my massage therapist if she is the owner? ›

It's not de rigeur or even expected to tip the owner of a restaurant, but its correct to tip a massage therapist or stylist if they are not only the owner, but also the one providing you direct services. You also don't tip your pilot, or your flight attendant, either.

What should you do? Do whatever you are comfortable with. If you feel like you can relax and receive a treatment under the sheets without your clothes on or if you chose to remain in your underwear or stay fully clothed – it is really your choice.

When you're ready, they'll return with you to the front and offer you a glass of water (it's important to stay hydrated post-massage). And if you appreciated your experience, you can always leave a tip. We look forward to your visit!

Peters and Birardi both agree that a 20% tip is the minimum appropriate for the standard tipped workers and that larger tips (more than 20%) should be done to recognize excellent customer service.

Others may automatically include gratuity when the bill is drawn. If either of these instances is the case, then no, you do not need to tip on top of this price. However, if the service was exceptional and you had a wonderful experience, an additional tip is never a bad idea.

How much do you tip on a $35 pedicure? What customers do: A 20% tip is standard, so that would be $7 on a $35 pedicure. What salon staff wants you to do: If service was satisfactory, give at least 20%.

Following the standard 20% tip rate for nail salons, you should tip $12. This means the total price for a $60 pedicure is $72. How much do you tip for a $50 pedicure?

How Much to Tip for Pedicure? On average, you should tip between 15% and 20% for a pedicure.

In general, while a 60 minute session provides some relaxation and targeted muscle work, it's sometimes a less thorough massage if you are looking to address the whole body including the hands, feet, and scalp.

A: I usually recommend that you make your first appointment for an hour. It is hard to assess new tissue and effectively treat someone in 30 minutes. After your first appointment, the time may be adjusted to 30 or 90 minutes depending on your needs. This is not a hard and fast rule however.

How many times a week is it OK to get a massage? ›

The simple answer is: as often as you want! However, a more realistic answer depends on many factors, including your lifestyle, activity level, pain and physical needs, stress and emotional needs, and of course, your budget. Like many things in life, consistency is key when it comes to massage therapy.

Typically massage therapy should be at least 50 minutes to one hour for a general full body treatment to be effective. Some establishments offer forty-five and fifty minute sessions.

Actually, you can get massaged too frequently. Once a week is the most you should go unless you are dealing with pain or high-intensity sports. Between you and your therapist, you'll be able to determine the best frequency because your body's response is a large part of this determination.

The first rule of massage therapy is always to obtain informed consent from the patient before starting a session. Informed consent between therapist and patient is critical in ensuring that any massage treatment will be safe, beneficial, and respectful for both parties involved in the session.

It is not important to shave before a massage. Your therapist doesn't care or even notice. The only exception to this rule is if you are having Kinesio Taping, then you must do it 24 hours in advance to avoid skin irritation. If less than 24 hours, use clippers only.

It's best to leave heavy fabrics, such as denim or wool, at home and choose lighter clothes that are thin and form-fitting. Some suitable options include t-shirts, tank tops, shorts or sports bras. Even if you prefer to cover up, make sure you've considered the limitations placed on your massage therapist.

$25 service = $5 tip. $50 service = $10 tip. $100 service = $20 tip. $150 service = $30 tip.

"Tip 20 percent on the true total cost of the service, not the discounted cost," Schweitzer says. "The hairdresser did the same amount of work, so they deserve the same amount of tip."