Washington Massage Therapist: Independent Contractor or Covered Worker? Is a question of whether massage therapists in Washington State are considered independent contractors or employees under the state's employment laws. This is an important distinction, as it determines whether message therapists are entitled to certain benefits and protections such as minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and other job-related rights. Generally, massage therapists in Washington State are considered independent contractors if they are self-employed, meaning that they have their own business, set their own hours, and determine their own rates. However, if a massage therapist works for a massage therapy clinic or spa, they may be considered an employee and thus entitled to the aforementioned benefits and protections. There are also different types of massage therapist roles, such as medical massage therapists, estheticians, and spa technicians, each with their own set of rules and regulations.