Established Clientele
Work with guests who already know and trust The Knotstop for high-quality massage, customized skincare and attentive service in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood.
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Massage & Esthetics Careers at The Knotstop
Build Your Career at The Knotstop
Join The Knotstop, a locally owned independent spa serving San Diego since 2006. We welcome applications from talented Massage Therapists and Licensed Estheticians who are passionate about delivering exceptional care while building lasting relationships with guests. Here, you'll find a supportive team, a collaborative culture, and the opportunity to grow your career in a place where quality always comes first.
More Than A Place To Work
We believe exceptional guest care begins with taking care of our team. With thoughtful scheduling, supportive management and an established clientele, we have created an environment where talented practitioners can thrive.
Why The Knotstop
A thoughtful place to practice, serve and grow.
The Knotstop has served San Diego for more than 20 years and has earned a reputation as one of the area’s top destinations for massage and skincare. Guests come to us for skilled bodywork, customized facial services, a calm spa environment and a team that treats them with consistency and care.
We are a local, family-owned spa with an established clientele, a strong support team and a workplace culture built around respect, professionalism, communication and quality service. The experience should feel polished and professional without feeling cold or corporate.
Some team members have been with The Knotstop since 2008, many have been with the spa for more than five years and our management team has deep long-term experience with the business. Our Spa Director has been with The Knotstop for 16 years, and our Front Desk Manager has been with the spa for 8 years.
We work hard to treat people with compassion when life requires time off, schedule adjustments or support. We want The Knotstop to be a place where talented practitioners can build a sustainable career, feel proud of their work and develop lasting relationships with guests and coworkers.
What You Can Expect
Support that helps you do your best work.
The Knotstop is designed to support excellent service. Our team helps manage many of the operational details so Massage Therapists and Estheticians can focus on client care, service quality and building long-term guest relationships.
Non-Corporate Culture
We are locally owned, relationship-driven and committed to treating our team with respect. Our standards are high, but the atmosphere is personal, human and supportive.
Fully Equipped Rooms
Every treatment room includes a hydraulic massage table, temperature control, lighting dimmer, music volume control, hot towel cabbie and table warmer.
Scheduling Support
Our support team helps manage booking, guest communication, daily flow, service questions, memberships and follow-up so the guest experience stays organized.
Everything You Need
The Knotstop provides massage lotion for massage services and all professional skincare products used during facial services. Therapists may use oil if they prefer, but oils are not provided.
Grow Your Career
Build your clientele, strengthen your consultation skills, expand your service knowledge and increase your earning potential through experience, consistency, gratuities and specialty services.
Your Workplace
A beautiful space designed for exceptional care.
The Knotstop is located in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood in a spa environment designed to feel calm, professional and welcoming. From our reception area to our private treatment rooms, every detail supports the experience we want guests and team members to have.
Career Opportunities
Join a team that loves what they do.
Our team is currently fully staffed, but we welcome applications from Certified Massage Therapists and Licensed Estheticians for future opportunities. We are always excited to meet talented practitioners who care deeply about their craft and guest experience. Please share your experience and availability, and we will contact you if a suitable position becomes available.
Certified Massage Therapist
Base service compensation begins around $30–$50 per appointment, with additional earning opportunities through gratuities, specialty services, experience and performance.
The Knotstop welcomes applications from Certified Massage Therapists for future opportunities. We value skilled, personalized bodywork and thoughtful guest care. We are looking for professionals who can listen well, assess a guest’s goals, adjust pressure appropriately and create massage sessions that feel both therapeutic and deeply restorative.
This is a strong fit for Massage Therapists who want to work in an established spa with consistent client demand, supportive front desk systems, fully equipped rooms and a team culture that values professionalism without feeling corporate. Our ideal candidate is dependable, communicative, warm with guests and serious about building long-term relationships through excellent hands-on work.
- Valid California massage certification required.
- Ideal candidates have at least 2 years of active hands-on experience beyond school training.
- Newer therapists may be considered when their massage technique, communication, professionalism and guest care are exceptional.
- Strong skills in relaxation, therapeutic, deep tissue, sports and circulatory massage are preferred.
- Additional modalities such as Prenatal, Hot Stone, Cupping, Reiki, Reflexology, Neuromuscular Therapy, Structural Integration or Lymphatic Massage are a plus.
- Professional consultation skills, clear communication and excellent guest care are essential.
- Saturday or Sunday availability is required.
Licensed Esthetician
Competitive compensation based on experience, schedule, services performed, skincare expertise, gratuities and overall performance.
The Knotstop is accepting applications from Licensed Estheticians who are passionate about customized skincare, guest education and creating a polished spa experience from consultation through final recommendations. We are looking for someone who can provide thoughtful facial services, explain skin concerns clearly and help guests feel confident caring for their skin between visits.
The right candidate is professional, detail-oriented, warm and comfortable working with a variety of skin types and guest goals. Experience with Eminence Organics, Lira Clinical, facial massage, extractions, product recommendations and home-care planning is especially helpful, but the most important qualities are excellent communication, strong guest care and a genuine interest in helping people feel their best.
- Valid California esthetics license required.
- Experience performing customized facials, skin analysis, client consultation and treatment planning preferred.
- Knowledge of Eminence Organics and Lira Clinical is a plus.
- Comfortable discussing home-care routines, product recommendations and long-term skincare goals with guests.
- Experience with non-medical skincare services, facial massage, extractions, waxing and retail recommendations is helpful.
- Strong sanitation standards, attention to detail and professional treatment room presence are required.
- Professional communication and a warm guest-centered approach are essential.
- Weekend availability is strongly preferred.
Benefits of Joining The Knotstop
Support for the people who provide the care.
Working at The Knotstop means more than building a schedule of guests. We believe supporting our team creates a better experience for everyone, which is why we invest in our employees both professionally and personally.
Health Insurance
Available for eligible full-time employees.
Free YogaDeck Membership
Team members receive a complimentary YogaDeck membership.
Retail Discounts
Team members receive 30% off retail. Estheticians receive 50% off skincare products.
Birthday Service
Team members receive a service of their choice during their birthday month.
Employee Positions
These are employee roles, not independent contractor positions.
Massage & Facial Trades
Massage Therapists and Estheticians can arrange service trades with one another throughout the year.
Team Events
We host company events and celebrations throughout the year.
Supportive Management
We work to support team members through schedule needs, communication and real-life adjustments when possible.
Apply Today
Tell us about yourself.
Applying only takes about five minutes. Upload your resume, or paste your work history directly into the form if you are applying from your phone. Please include your current certification or license information when applicable, your weekday and weekend availability, and the position you are applying for.
Complete the application below to share your contact information, preferred position, professional experience, availability, training, and resume or work history.
Referral & New Hire Bonuses
Helping us build the right team matters.
We believe great people often know other great people. That is why we offer bonus opportunities for eligible new hires and team member referrals.
$300 Bonus Opportunity
New Hire Bonus
Eligible new Massage Therapists and Estheticians receive a $300 new hire bonus after six months of active employment with The Knotstop.
$300 Bonus Opportunity
Employee Referral Bonus
Current Knotstop employees receive a $300 recruitment bonus for helping us find qualified new Certified Massage Therapists or Licensed Estheticians.
Questions Before Applying
Helpful details for applicants.
A few important things to know before submitting your application for a Massage Therapist or Esthetician position at The Knotstop.
Are you currently hiring Massage Therapists?
Our Massage Therapist team is currently fully staffed, but we welcome applications for future opportunities. If you are a Certified Massage Therapist who values skilled bodywork, professional communication and exceptional guest care, please share your experience and availability. We will contact you if a suitable position becomes available.
Are you currently hiring Estheticians?
Our Esthetician team is currently fully staffed, but we welcome applications from Licensed Estheticians for future opportunities. Strong consultation skills and experience or interest in Eminence Organics and Lira Clinical are especially helpful. New hires receive training on The Knotstop’s facial services, protocols and product knowledge. We will contact you if a suitable position becomes available.
Is weekend availability required?
For Massage Therapist applicants, Saturday or Sunday availability is required. Weekend availability is also strongly preferred for Esthetician applicants because weekends are an important part of our guest schedule.
Do you offer full-time and part-time positions?
When positions become available, opportunities may be full-time or part-time depending on the role, business needs, applicant availability and schedule fit. Please include your preferred hours and availability with your application. Health insurance is available for eligible full-time employees.
What massage certification is required?
Massage Therapist applicants must have a valid California massage certification. Please include your certification information, hands-on experience, preferred modalities, and current availability when applying.
What esthetics license is required?
Esthetician applicants must have a valid California esthetics license. Experience with facials, skin analysis, guest consultation, treatment planning, home-care education, Eminence Organics, or Lira Clinical is helpful.
Do applicants need previous spa experience?
Previous spa, salon, hospitality, or customer service experience is helpful, but the most important qualities are professionalism, reliability, communication, warmth, and a genuine commitment to excellent guest care. For Massage Therapists, our general rule of thumb is at least two years of active hands-on experience, though we are willing to consider newer therapists when their massage technique, communication, and professionalism are extraordinary.
Do you train new hires on The Knotstop’s services?
Yes. Massage Therapists receive training on Knotstop specialty services, including Couples Massage and Deep Heat Massage, as well as service enhancements such as Localized Cupping and the Hand Rejuvenation Treatment. Estheticians receive full training on The Knotstop’s Eminence and Lira facial services, protocols, and product knowledge.
What benefits and employee perks are available?
Eligible team members may receive health insurance, a free YogaDeck membership, 30% off retail, 50% off skincare products for Estheticians, a birthday service of their choice during their birth month, team events, and additional employee perks. Massage Therapists and Estheticians may also arrange massage and skincare trades with one another during the rest of the year.
What is the dress code?
Comfortable clothing is welcome, and solid colors are encouraged. Graphic T-shirts are not part of the dress code. For massage and spa service standards, no open-toed shoes and no exposed underarms are allowed. The Knotstop also provides Knotstop T-shirts.
What equipment is provided in the treatment rooms?
Every treatment room has a hydraulic massage table, temperature control, lighting dimmer, music volume control, hot towel cabbie, and table warmer. The Knotstop provides massage lotion for massage services and all skincare products used during facial services. Therapists may use oil if they prefer, but massage oils are not provided by The Knotstop.
Is employee parking available?
The Knotstop is located in the middle of Bankers Hill, near Balboa Park. There are many free parking spots around the spa, and the location also has easy access to public transportation. The #3, #11, and #120 bus routes all stop close to the spa.
What should I include with my application?
Please include your resume or work history, current license or certification information if applicable, weekday and weekend availability, preferred shifts, relevant training, specialties, and a short note about why you are interested in joining The Knotstop.
Can I apply from my phone without a resume file?
Yes. If you are applying from your phone and do not have a resume file ready, you may paste your work history into the application form. Please include enough detail for us to understand your professional background, training, availability, and experience.
What kind of workplace is The Knotstop?
The Knotstop is a locally owned, non-corporate spa with a professional but warm culture. We value skill, consistency, communication, cleanliness, respect, and thoughtful guest care. The goal is to create an environment where guests feel cared for and team members feel supported.
What happens after I apply?
Our team will review your application. Because we are currently fully staffed, submitting an application does not mean an interview or immediate opening is available. If your experience, availability and qualifications match a suitable future opening, we will contact you about possible next steps.
What does the interview process look like?
Qualified applicants will first be contacted for an initial conversation. Candidates selected to move forward will then be invited to The Knotstop for an in-person interview with our management team.
Massage Therapist Applicants: As part of the interview process, Massage Therapist candidates will perform a 60-minute practical massage on one of our veteran Massage Therapists. This practical allows us to evaluate massage technique, body mechanics, communication, professionalism, pressure consistency, treatment flow and the overall guest experience to ensure every therapist who joins our team meets the level of care our guests have come to expect from The Knotstop.
Licensed Esthetician Applicants: Esthetician candidates will perform a customized facial using our Eminence Organic Skin Care products while being observed by one of our veteran Estheticians. This practical allows us to evaluate consultation skills, treatment technique, product knowledge, professionalism, sanitation practices, guest communication and the overall facial experience to ensure every esthetician reflects The Knotstop's standards of care.
Massage Therapist Applicants: As part of the interview process, Massage Therapist candidates will perform a 60-minute practical massage on one of our veteran Massage Therapists. This practical allows us to evaluate massage technique, body mechanics, communication, professionalism, pressure consistency, treatment flow and the overall guest experience to ensure every therapist who joins our team meets the level of care our guests have come to expect from The Knotstop.
Licensed Esthetician Applicants: Esthetician candidates will perform a customized facial using our Eminence Organic Skin Care products while being observed by one of our veteran Estheticians. This practical allows us to evaluate consultation skills, treatment technique, product knowledge, professionalism, sanitation practices, guest communication and the overall facial experience to ensure every esthetician reflects The Knotstop's standards of care.
Join Our Team
We’d love to hear from you.
If you care deeply about your craft, enjoy helping people feel better, and want to be part of a supportive local spa team, we invite you to apply. The Knotstop is a place for professionals who value excellent service, respectful teamwork, meaningful guest relationships, and a workplace that supports the people providing the care.