When to Tip for a Massage & How Much to Give

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posted on 1 year ago — updated on 1 second ago

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You’re feeling loose and relaxed after getting a massage, but should you leave your therapist a tip? Whether you visit the spa regularly or are just occasionally treating yourself, tipping your massage therapist lets them know you’re happy with their service. While massage tipping etiquette varies depending on the location, there are still some standards for how much extra to give your therapist. Keep reading and we’ll cover when it’s appropriate to give a tip and how much to budget for it.

Things You Should Know

Give your massage therapist a 15–20% tip for their services. If you’re feeling generous and you’re happy with your massage, add more to your tip.
Leave a 15% tip even if you’re not happy with your service. Mention any issues you had to your massage therapist so they can adjust for the next time.
If you can’t afford to tip, thank your massage therapist and refer them to your friends or family members. If you know the masseuse well, get them a small gift instead.

Standard Tip for a Massage

15–20% If you’re happy with the work your massage therapist did, then tipping around 15% is standard massage parlor etiquette. If you’re feeling really refreshed after your massage and had exceptional service, then tip closer to 20%. Whether you went on your own or got a couples massage, the average tipping range stays the same. Even though these are the standard ranges, don’t be afraid to tip a little more if you’re feeling generous. If you used a coupon or got a free massage, still tip 15–20% of the service’s original price. For an easy way to calculate your tip, move the decimal point on the massage’s full price one space to the left to find out what 10% would be. Then, double the amount to get a 20% tip. So if your bill was $100 USD, then 10% would be $10 USD and 20% would be $20 USD. Alternatively, tip around $5–10 USD per 30-minute segment of your massage.

Why should you tip?

Massage therapists only get a small percentage of your payment. If your massage therapist works independently or at a spa, they may only receive a portion of your original bill for the service. When you give a tip, your massage therapist gets to keep the money for themselves and it shows that you appreciate all the hard work they did during the session.

Should you tip if you’re unhappy with your massage?

Tip closer to 15% even if you’re not fully satisfied with your massage. If your massage therapist used the wrong amount of pressure, arrived a little late, or acted rudely toward you, it’s still nice to leave them a tip on the lower end of the scale. If your massage therapist is doing something that doesn’t feel good during the massage, let them know right away so they can adjust. After they finish the massage, tell them what to change for the next time you come in. If you’re not comfortable telling your massage therapist there was an issue, then address your concerns with an employee at the front counter.

What should you do if you can’t afford to tip?

Thank your massage therapist. If you’re not able to afford the tip for an expensive massage, make sure to thank your therapist for the hard work they’ve done. Let them know that you’re really satisfied with the service and that you’ll definitely be back when you need another massage. Get a thank you card and write a short and sweet personal message for your massage therapist to show your appreciation for them even more. When you first book a massage, try to budget for the tip right away so you don’t forget about it.

Refer your massage therapist to other people. If you’re really pleased with your massage, let your friends and family know that they should visit the spa or therapist that you’ve been seeing. If you want to reach a wider audience, leave a Google review with 5 stars, and explain what made your massage so exceptional. Even if you weren’t able to leave a tip, your massage therapist will appreciate all the new clients that you send their way.

Give a small gift the next time you come in. If you’ve been seeing your massage therapist for a while and have a friendly repertoire, then a gift during your next session is a perfect choice if you can’t afford the tip right away. You could bring them flowers, candles, a basket with fruit or treats, or a houseplant. Avoid giving a gift if it’s your first time with a massage therapist since it could seem a little awkward or undesirable.

When Not to Tip

Avoid tipping if you’re getting a massage for medical reasons. While you should tip massage therapists who work independently or at a spa, it’s less customary if you’re at a clinic or rehabilitation center. Because it’s the massage therapist’s job to help you recover from an injury or surgery, they aren’t expecting a tip.

Skip the tip if there’s an added gratuity or no-tipping policy. Some spas or resorts already include tips in the price of your massage. Other locations may have a clear no-tipping policy, like if the location has an all-inclusive price or if there are student therapists in training. When you prepare for your massage, check the policy for the location where you’re going to see if they encourage tipping or not.