Is getting a job as a registered massage therapist a good idea?

My parents and older siblings are are trying to encourage me to settle down and choose a career. I agree but I am just not sure. I think becoming a RMT is a good idea and something I would enjoy. I live a healthy lifestyle and really like helping people (2 years in sales helped me realize that) What are the pros and cons of becoming a RMT?Is getting a job as a registered massage therapist a good idea?
Pro:


Convenient, Flexible hours, Something you are passionate about, A lot of $$$ if you get hired by a luxurious spa, you can moonlight and establish your own business





Cons:


Hard to find a job, a lot of people won't spend money on a massage in this economy





I think you should become a nurse or get into hotel management.Is getting a job as a registered massage therapist a good idea?
Pros: Massage therapy is a growing field. The career in and of itself is expected to grow faster than average throughout the next few years. Therapists who truly enjoy helping people will never tire of the work. The will to heal others through touch is something deep within the soul that generally stays with a person for the rest of their lives. It's very fulfilling for many at the end of the day knowing they made a positive difference for someone.





Whether you run your own practice or work for someone, more often than not the hours are flexible. A massage therapist considers anything over 15 hours of work a week full-time.





In the right circumstances, the pay is much better than average. A one-hour massage can cost anywhere between $45 to hundreds of dollars, depending on skill, experience, and location. If you run your own practice, that's 100% in-your-pocket profit.





Cons: The average expectancy of a massage therapist to stay in their field is 2-5 years, at which point some enter a ';burn-out'; phase. They no longer want to be in massage, their wrists have developed Carpal Tunnel or some other discomfort, their back is in pain from bending over all the time, or something else occurs.





If you're not careful, you are prone to injury. The wrists and the back are big problem areas, and sometimes the legs can wear out from long hours of standing.





The work is not steady. When the economy is struggling, luxuries are typically the first things to go. People often file massages under luxury experiences, and therefore might decide to stop coming to you after budget cuts.





For women (and some men), ridicule is prevalent in the ever-popular form of the phrase ';happy endings';. Massage therapists are not to be mistaken for individuals who perform sexual acts for pay. It is an accusation that's devastating to their self-image as well as an insult to their career.





Overall it's an OK job, but I wish I had done something else in the medical field that is more respected and steady work.