Spa Managers

The International Spa Association (ISPA) reports that spa visits are on the rise in the United States, with clients making about 187 million spa visits in 2024, a 3.1 percent increase over 2023. The pandemic disrupted many industries around the world, include the spa industry, in 2020 and 2021. The lockdowns and social distancing caused a drop in spa industry revenue and employment, but post pandemic the spa industry has rebounded and is thriving, according to ISPA. The growth in this field can be attributed to increased appreciation for the benefits of spa visits, the increased number of day spas, and increased popularity of spas among men. Many spas are adding treatments specifically for men. These expanding facilities and new treatment options should translate into job opportunities for everyone working in this industry, including spa managers.

In general, the public is becoming more health conscious and people look to spas for both enjoyable and educational vacations. Some spas are specializing in teaching guests new patterns of diet, exercise, and skin care. In the future, spas may be covered by health insurance plans. To compete with other spas, and to satisfy returning guests, spas are likely to offer even more diverse lists of services and treatments. Spa managers will have to keep ahead of health and beauty trends and plan and direct new spa programs and methods.

The Department of Labor includes spa managers in the category of first-line supervisors of personal services workers. The DOL predicts these supervisors will experience 10 percent employment growth through 2033, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations. Spa managers with three or more years of prior experience in a spa facility, certification, and knowledge of software programs for spa business management will have the advantage in the job market.