Massage Therapist salary in Asheville, NC
Massage Therapists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $47,780 a year ($22.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,720 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 21% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $60,650. There are 0.70 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,560 | $14.69 |
| 25th percentile | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Median | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| 75th percentile | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,720 | $35.93 |
| Average (mean) | $51,620 | $24.82 |
Half of massage therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,981.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,990.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,837.69 |
| Weekly | $918.85 |
| Hourly | $22.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Massage Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $81,390 | 120 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $71,480 | 650 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $70,120 | 70 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,250 | 130 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,170 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,930 | 930 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $57,510 | 540 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $56,260 | 80 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $56,230 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for massage therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 |
| Washington | $87,360 |
| Oregon | $86,970 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,140 |
| Maine | $73,290 |
| Michigan | $70,960 |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 |
See Massage Therapist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Dental Assistant | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,950 | $23.54 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,170 | $19.31 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,420 | $17.03 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Asheville, NC?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Asheville, NC metro area is $47,780 a year, or $22.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $74,720 a year. The top 25% earn $61,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,560 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $36,900 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Asheville, NC?
About 130 massage therapists are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.