Aromatherapist: Duties & Salary

by Willette Francis

Aromatherapy practitioners can find employment in many places, including some nursing hospices and homes. As the use of aromatherapy becomes wide spread, aromatherapists will be in demand in beauty clinics, health clinics and many other places. As consumers seek more and more uses of alternative medicine, the need for aromatherapy practitioners will continue to increase. Whether its practiced on its own or in conjunction with other methods, aromatherapy is an excellent nature healing method that promotes wellness.

What does an aromatherapist do?
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic reasons. Essential oils are used by aromatherapists to treat a variety of conditions. These essential oils are extracted from flowers, leaves, roots, peel, resin or bark. These oils are absorbed into the skin by massage or through lotions and creams that they have been added to. Inhaling the oils stimulates the olfactory system, triggering chemical release in the brain.

When clients visit an aromatherapist, they are given a detailed consultation. A detailed medical history is taken, which includes questions about diet, lifestyle and health problems. Aromatherapists may also ask to inform your general health care provider about your aromatherapy treatment. The aromatherapy practitioner can also advice you on a course of aromatherapy treatment and give you advice about home treatments. Depending on your health, the aromatherapist may instruct to breath the oils in from a piece of cloth or through steam inhalations, vaporizers, or sprays.

Aromatherapists try to treat the whole body by finding treatments and oils that are right for you mentally and physically. They recommend specific oils or a combination of oils that suit you. If they are administering a massage, they will mix oils that are best for a massage. During a massage the practitioner may also dilute the essential oils, when applying them to the skin, for a massage.

Aromatherapy can be helpful in a variety of conditions.

How much do aromatherapist get paid and what kinds of aromatherapy job can I get?

According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, aromatherapists can earn from $15,000 to $45,000 annually. Annual salaries will vary depending on the aromatherapists practice. Aromatherapy is used by many alternative medicine professionals as an incorporation into their natural healing methods, including massage therapy, acupuncture, and reflexology.

The salary for an acupuncturists can range between $30,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on their practice and what region they practice in. Median wages and salaries for a massage therapist can range from $16.06 to $33.03 hourly, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additional income is possible through 15 to 20 percent gratuities.

Potential aromatherapy careers include aromatherapeutic counselor, essential oil manager, essential oil production manufacturer, custom aromatherapy blender for an aromatherapy bar, community holistic health clinic participator, aromatherapy consulting business entrepreneur, essential oils retailer, aromatherapy writer and book author and aromatherapy tutor. Many who utilize aromatherapy as an added component to their practice are naturopaths, massage therapists, chiropractors, sports medicine therapists, energy healers, psychotherapist, estheticians, ayurvedic clinicians, and practitioners of Chinese Medicine.