Massage Therapist salary in Columbia, SC
Massage Therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $59,310 a year ($28.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $17,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,960 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $58,000. There are 0.61 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,900, close to the median.
Pay range for massage therapists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,840 | $8.58 |
| 25th percentile | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Median | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| 75th percentile | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| Average (mean) | $53,900 | $25.91 |
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 | $4,942.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,471.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,281.15 |
| Weekly | $1,140.58 |
| Hourly | $28.51 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $62,140 | 400 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $62,120 | 140 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $60,100 | 270 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,930 | 930 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $58,800 | 130 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $48,730 | 270 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $39,360 | 160 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Dental Assistant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Phlebotomist | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $59,310 a year, or $28.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $17,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $88,960 a year. The top 25% earn $65,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17,840 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $38,890 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Columbia, SC?
About 240 massage therapists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.