Passive Income Ideas For Massage Therapists [2024]

Updated: September 21st, 2024

Interested in earning passive income as a massage therapist in 2024?

We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a massage therapist today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.

For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a massage therapist.

Here's the full list:

1. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could be a great way to supplement your income as a massage therapist. You could share your expertise on topics like wellness, stress relief, and self-care, which would appeal to a wide audience. Your listeners might include other therapists, clients interested in maintaining their health, or even people curious about the benefits of massage therapy.

To get started on a budget, you would need a good microphone and headphones. Choose a niche related to your work that you're passionate about and start recording episodes. By promoting your podcast on social media and in your existing professional network, you could build an audience and attract potential sponsors or advertisers, leading to extra income.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.

Read by 19,169 founders

2. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)

Starting an online course sales business could be an excellent way for you, as a massage therapist, to supplement your income. You could share your expertise in various areas such as massage techniques, holistic therapies, or self-care practices. By creating and selling online courses, you could reach a wider audience and help others learn valuable skills from the comfort of their homes.

You could begin by identifying a target audience, perhaps other massage therapists looking to improve their skills or individuals interested in wellness. Next, you could create engaging video lessons and related resources. Finally, you could choose an online platform to host and sell your course, allowing you to earn passive income over time as more people enroll.

Given the growing e-learning market, which is expected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, this avenue could offer a lucrative opportunity. Besides making extra money, helping others improve their well-being could be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.

How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

I Make $120K/Year With My Print On Demand T-Shirt Side Hustle

A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.

Read by 12,002 founders

3. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you, as a massage therapist, to supplement your income. You could create videos that share your expertise on various massage techniques, provide relaxation tips, or guide viewers through simple self-massage routines. This not only helps people but also positions you as an expert in your field, potentially attracting more clients to your practice.

In addition to helping others, your channel might bring in extra money through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise. By consistently creating quality content and engaging with your audience, you could build a loyal following. Though it takes some effort, the combination of sharing your passion and the financial reward makes this an appealing possibility.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How A Young Entrepreneur From Nigeria Started A Profitable Blog

This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.

Read by 12,297 founders

4. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)

Starting a niche blog as a massage therapist could be a fantastic way to share your expertise and supplement your income. You could focus your blog on specific topics within the massage therapy field, such as self-care tips, at-home massage techniques, insights on the benefits of different massage styles, or reviews of massage products. By creating unique and informative content, you could attract a dedicated online community interested in massage therapy.

To monetize your blog, you could include affiliate links to massage products you trust, offer online courses, or partner with brands relevant to your audience. Consistently engaging with your readers and sharing valuable information would help you gain visibility and build a loyal following. Over time, this could translate into a steady stream of passive income, allowing you to share your passion while earning extra money.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Turned A Crappy Idea Into A $3M/Year Business

Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.

Read by 77,315 founders

5. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)

As a massage therapist, starting a health and wellness app could be a great way to supplement your income and make extra money. You could offer personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, and mental well-being exercises, all tailored to your clients’ needs. Your existing knowledge of the human body and wellness makes you well-suited to provide valuable and accurate advice through the app.

Imagine your clients not just relying on their regular massage appointments but also benefiting from daily reminders to drink water or guided yoga practices. This app can act as a virtual coach, helping users stay on track with their health goals. By collaborating with other health experts and utilizing effective marketing strategies, you could build a thriving business that positively impacts lives.

How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

I Created A $2.7M/Year Software That Extends People's Lives By Analyzing Their DNA

Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.

Read by 8,531 founders

6. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)

As a massage therapist, starting a niche website could be a great way to supplement your income and share your expertise. You could focus on creating content about specific massage techniques, wellness tips, or self-care practices that many people are eager to learn about. This type of specialized site could attract a dedicated audience interested in your professional insights.

By leveraging your knowledge, you could diversify your earnings through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling downloadable guides and video tutorials. Although it would take some effort to research, create content, and optimize for search engines, the payoff could be a reliable source of passive income down the line. So, if you are passionate and ready to explore a new avenue, building a niche website could be your next rewarding project.

How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Leveraged My LinkedIn Network To Create A $1.8M/Year Procurement Conference

DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.

Read by 3,594 founders

7. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)

As a massage therapist, you could create a subscription box filled with self-care items like essential oils, massage tools, and soothing candles. This could give your clients a way to extend the benefits of their therapy sessions at home, encouraging regular self-care and even enhancing their loyalty to your services. Plus, it provides a steady monthly income without extra physical effort on your part.

Starting such a business would involve researching products that your clients would find useful and appealing. By offering high-quality, exclusive items, you can create a subscription box that feels valuable and special. This additional venture not only supplements your income but also positions you as a wellness expert, further boosting your reputation and client base.

How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A Gift Box Business For Non Traditional Brides

Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.

Read by 31,390 founders

8. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)

As a massage therapist, you could start earning passive income through affiliate marketing by promoting products and services related to wellness and self-care. By recommending high-quality massage oils, relaxation tools, or even instructional courses, you could earn a commission for every sale made through your unique referral link. This allows you to share your professional expertise while benefiting financially from products you likely already believe in and use.

To get started, you could look for trustworthy brands and products that align with your field. Many eCommerce stores offer affiliate programs, and you could partner with manufacturers of massage equipment or wellness products. It’s a great way to supplement your income without needing to invest a lot of time or money upfront.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

Read by 24,562 founders

9. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)

As a massage therapist, you could supplement your income and explore your entrepreneurial side by starting a stock photography business. Since you're already familiar with creating a calming and aesthetically pleasing environment in your therapy space, you could capture high-quality photos that businesses might use for marketing purposes. Think about taking pictures of serene settings, relaxing scenes, and elements related to wellness and self-care.

By investing in some good photography gear and learning the basics of stock photography, you could build an impressive portfolio over time. Once you upload your photos to stock photography websites, these images could earn you passive income with each sale, without requiring additional effort on your part. This way, you could combine your eye for detail and relaxing imagery with your desire to make extra money.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A Commercial Product Photography Business

Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.

Read by 15,395 founders

10. Print on demand business ($411K/month)

As a massage therapist, you could start a print-on-demand business to supplement your income and reach a broader audience. Imagine designing custom merchandise like massage-themed apparel, home goods, or phone cases featuring relaxing quotes, soothing imagery, or clever slogans related to wellness and self-care. Your deep understanding of the industry could help you create products that truly resonate with other professionals and clients interested in holistic health.

Platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy make it easy for you to set up an online store without worrying about upfront inventory costs. You'd focus on creating unique designs while leveraging dropshipping services to handle the production and fulfillment of each order. This business model allows you to explore your creative side and run your store from anywhere, giving you the flexibility to continue your massage therapy practice without significant disruption.

How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

How I Started A $330K/Month Ecommerce Specialized In 3D Printing

Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.

Read by 29,927 founders

11. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)

As a massage therapist, you could use an AI writing tool to supplement your income by creating engaging content for your website or blog. This tool could help you write informative articles about massage therapy techniques, health tips, or self-care advice without spending too much time drafting each piece. By consistently posting helpful content, you could attract more clients and potentially sell related products or services through your platform.

Additionally, you could license this AI writing tool to other massage therapists or wellness professionals who want to produce their content efficiently. This way, you could earn a passive income while helping other professionals maintain a strong online presence. Embracing this technological innovation could set you apart in your field and open up new revenue streams.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)

I Built A Simple AI Writing Tool That Makes $60K/Year

Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.

Read by 6,677 founders

12. Make passive income with a hygiene product company ($1.18M/month)

As a massage therapist, you could expand your skill set and increase your income by starting a hygiene product company. Your understanding of cleanliness and the importance of high-quality hygiene products in your practice positions you well to create a line of soaps, hand sanitizers, and disinfectant wipes tailored to both personal and professional needs.

With your existing client base, you would have a built-in customer foundation for your products. You could also leverage your professional network to promote your products and gather valuable feedback to continually improve them. By investing time in market research and developing a robust online presence, you could successfully navigate this venture and start earning passive income from your new business.

How much you can make: $30,000 — $5,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 332 days (?)

How My Forward-Thinking Hygiene Solutions Company Is Thriving In COVID-19

A hygiene solutions company founded by Jonathan Bradford now earns £500k/month, after years of developing a wall-mounted antibacterial wipe dispenser that is used in health clubs, workplaces, and in over 100 locations worldwide, and also developing an electronic washroom hygiene monitor.

Read by 9,593 founders

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.