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.
Massage & Esthetics Careers at The Knotstop
Build Your Career at The Knotstop.
Join one of San Diego’s best established independent spas and become part of a warm, professional team known for excellent massage therapy, thoughtful skincare and genuine guest care. The Knotstop is a locally owned spa in Bankers Hill where talented Massage Therapists and Licensed Estheticians can do meaningful work in a supportive, non-corporate environment.
Our greatest current need is for Certified Massage Therapists.
We are actively hiring skilled Massage Therapists with strong hands-on experience, excellent communication, professional presence and Saturday or Sunday availability. We are also accepting applications from Licensed Estheticians who are passionate about customized skincare, thoughtful consultation and excellent guest care.
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.
Current Opportunities
Join a team that loves what they do.
We are currently accepting applications for Certified Massage Therapists and Licensed Estheticians. Our greatest immediate need is for experienced Massage Therapists with weekend availability, but we are always excited to meet talented practitioners who care deeply about their craft and guest experience.
NOW HIRING
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 is actively hiring Certified Massage Therapists who take pride in 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.
Yes. We are actively hiring Certified Massage Therapists, and this is our greatest current hiring need. We are especially interested in skilled, professional Massage Therapists with strong hands-on experience, excellent communication, and Saturday or Sunday availability.
Yes. We are accepting applications from Licensed Estheticians, especially those with strong consultation skills and experience or interest in Eminence Organics and Lira Clinical. We provide full training on The Knotstop’s Eminence and Lira facial services, protocols, and product knowledge.
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.
Yes. We offer full-time and part-time opportunities depending on the position, current business needs, applicant availability, and schedule fit. Health insurance is available for eligible full-time employees.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comfortable clothes are fine, and solid color prints 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After you submit your application, our team will review your information. If your experience, availability, and qualifications match current hiring needs, we will contact you about possible next steps.
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.