Massage Therapist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Massage Therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $61,170 a year ($29.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,290 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $60,650. There are 0.37 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $72,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| 25th percentile | $54,900 | $26.40 |
| Median | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| 75th percentile | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Average (mean) | $72,020 | $34.63 |
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 | $5,097.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,548.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,352.69 |
| Weekly | $1,176.35 |
| Hourly | $29.41 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,780 | 130 |
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $44,230 | $21.27 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $61,170 a year, or $29.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $97,290 a year. The top 25% earn $94,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,360 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $54,900 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 130 massage therapists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.