Massage Therapist salary in North Carolina
Massage Therapists in North Carolina earn a median of $60,650 a year ($29.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,510 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $58,450. North Carolina ranks 22nd of 50 states for massage therapists pay. There are 0.50 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $66,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,050 | $14.93 |
| 25th percentile | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Median | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| 75th percentile | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,510 | $46.40 |
| Average (mean) | $66,630 | $32.03 |
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 | $5,054.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,527.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,332.69 |
| Weekly | $1,166.35 |
| Hourly | $29.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Massage Therapist salary in cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,380 | $24.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Phlebotomist | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $47,080 | $22.64 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| Orderly | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for massage therapists in North Carolina is $60,650 a year, or $29.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of massage therapists in North Carolina earn at least $96,510 a year. The top 25% earn $85,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,050 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $48,100 or less.
How many massage therapists work in North Carolina?
About 2,460 massage therapists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.