Is Tipping Required?
Tipping massage therapists has been standard practice in America for several decades. It’s the same idea as tipping your hairdresser or barber. And the majority of massage therapists expect tips. For many therapists employed by spas and chain clinics, their wages are based on their earning tips.
However, sometimes therapists in private practice do not accept tips. Likewise, some therapists in more clinical or medical settings also do not expect tips.
If you’re planning a massage for the first time, and you’re going to a spa, plan to tip. If you’re seeing someone in private practice or in a medical setting, check the website or ask when booking. If the therapist does not expect or accept tips, it’s on the website and mentioned during booking.
Read More: Am I Required to Tip My Massage Therapist?
Catherine’s Policy on Tips
I do not expect or require tips.
Tip Based on Price of Service
For the majority of massage therapists who work for tips, plan to tip based on the price of the service. Even if you are using a gift certificate or a coupon to discount the price you pay, you’ll want to tip based on the full price. Gift certificates often cover the full price of the massage, but rarely include gratuity (tip). Coupons, introductory offers, or other special pricing should not affect how much you tip the therapist, only how much you pay for the service.
Tipping Varies by Location and Setting
The price of massage varies greatly by location. Certain cities or areas of the country see very high prices on massage services, while others see quite low pricing. The tip you leave your therapist should be based on the price of that service.
The price of massage services also varies greatly by setting. A private-practice therapist will charge differently than a massage franchise, and the franchise will charge differently than a full-service spa. The higher the price of the service, the higher the tip should be. Knowing the full price of the service you will receive before you go will help you plan how much to tip your therapist.
How Much to Tip
Based on everything you’ve read so far, you understand the amount you tip will vary depending on your circumstances. But here is a very general guideline to help you decide how much to tip:
High-End or Full-Service Spa and MedSpas
60-minute, massage only: $20-40
90-minute, massage only: $30-50
Massage plus another service: $30+
It’s worth noting here these settings often do not have a 60-minute option. Many of the services in higher end spas and medspas begin at 90 minutes and include more than just massage, such as a facial, a wrap, or another body treatment.
Franchises (MassageEnvy, Hand and Stone, etc.)
60-minute: $5-20 is very normal, with $10 being the most common
90-minute: $10-20 is very normal, with somewhere around $20 being the most common
Chiropractor’s Office or Medical Clinic
60-minute: $10-20
90-minute: $15-25
It’s important to note here that these are the types of settings in which it may not be expected to tip the therapist. If the clinic is billing your insurance, worker’s compensation, or an auto insurance, then you usually wouldn’t expect to leave a tip. It seems awkward to ask, but this is the kind of place where it’s important to ask. When booking, asking something like, “What’s your policy on tipping?” is enough to get the information you need.
Private Practice
60-minute: $5-30
90-minute: $10-50
Because so many therapists in private practice do not accept tips, or do not expect tips, and because their prices vary so much, this is where you’ll find the widest ranges. The ranges noted above are ideals. Once you know the price of the massage you’ve booked, calculate 20%. 20% is not a hard and fast rule for tipping massage therapists, but it can help you decide where to land in the range above.
In the Billings area, the average tip for a 60-minute massage is somewhere between $10-20. For a 90-minute massage, the average tip is somewhere between $20-40.
Tip in Cash When Possible
Nearly every business offering massage services accepts card payments these days. But therapists really appreciate cash tips. Especially for W2 employees who receive paychecks every week or every two weeks, cash tips are extremely helpful and appreciated. If you have a massage scheduled, it would be a pro move to plan ahead and bring a cash tip.