In a time when the economy continues to be difficult to navigate and many people are considering their career options, you might be wondering if it’s the right time to start massage school. While there is always a benefit to increasing your education and job skills, there are other considerations, including the viability of the current job market as well as your age and situation in life. If you’re considering massage school either as a first career or as a way to change your life, here are a few things to think about regarding timing.

Time of Your Life

The average age of a practicing massage therapist is a lot higher than most people assume: around 45 years of age. Although many people associate the field with younger professionals right out of high school, the truth is that it’s a common choice for adults hoping to take a new career path in life. In fact, being an older individual in this field has its advantages. Chances are you have more practical business knowledge and contacts for getting a massage therapy practice started, and you’ll have more time to devote to your success.

However, you should remember that massage therapy can be a very physically taxing job, which means that younger professionals have their own advantages. Learning good, safe massage techniques can go a long way in helping you to continue in the field without burnout.

 Time of the Year

Most massage schools operate on a rotating schedule, which means you can begin your classes several times throughout the year. Most students start in the fall, with additional options for winter or spring quarters.

In most cases, there is no real advantage or disadvantage to any of these. Some students finish fast and early; others take a few years of part-time training to get all the way to the end. New opportunities in massage are opening up all the time, and seasonal massage options (ski injuries in the winter, relaxation in the summer) are always cropping up.

 Time of the Job Market

Massage school can be expensive, and many students graduate with hefty student loan debt that makes a tough economic situation even worse. This fear—that you’ll finish massage school only to sit on your degree—is a realistic one. But it doesn’t have to be.

Like most luxury items, there is always a demand for massage—especially in the right markets. Many people turn to massage as a way to improve health and avoid hefty medical bills. Others use it to unwind and relax after a stressful day at work, and as long as stress still exists, so will a need for well-trained massage therapists. And while the massage job market might have fewer options as more and more companies cut back, the potential for small business owners to succeed only rises. So if you’re interested in massage because you want to open your own massage therapy practice, the timing is just right.