Massage Therapist salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Massage Therapists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $71,480 a year ($34.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,280 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 18% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $60,650. There are 0.88 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for massage therapists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| 25th percentile | $59,080 | $28.40 |
| Median | $71,480 | $34.37 |
| 75th percentile | $86,020 | $41.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,280 | $45.81 |
| Average (mean) | $71,770 | $34.51 |
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 | $5,956.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,978.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,749.23 |
| Weekly | $1,374.62 |
| Hourly | $34.37 |
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 |
| 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 |
See Massage Therapist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,160 | $22.19 |
| Dental Assistant | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $32,570 | $15.66 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $67,890 | $32.64 |
| Orderly | $37,930 | $18.23 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,370 | $17.00 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $71,480 a year, or $34.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $95,280 a year. The top 25% earn $86,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,660 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $59,080 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 650 massage therapists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.