Pros
I can only speak for the particular massage heights that I work at. Only good reason to work there is to get the "new therapist jitters" dealt with. So you do get real experience dealing with many different clients. Of the box stores for massage they may be the only one to offer minimum wage OR commission, which ever is greatest at end of week. So at least you have that "safety net"
Cons
Over worked and underpaid. Handbook says you should/need be able to do 4 hours of massage in a row. Never mind if its two 2 hours back to back (usually deep tissue) or four 1 hour massages (again high chance for deep tissue). And as long as there is a break (1/2 hour), they may book you more. I've had 7 massages in 8 hour, 5 massages then a half hour break and two more massages.. you will feel disposable, replaceable, and taken advantage of. There is no true growth. CEU's won't be paid for, wage increase is non existant (been there 5 years and counting), insurance offered is a joke, never heard anything about matched 401k or anything like that. My suggestion is work elsewhere or have a hard line and plan to get out of there as soon as you can. Comparison: on a good day I can make the company about $400. My cut will be about $100. I get someone to sign up and they will spend $700 (roughly), my cut (after they come in 12 times) is $180