Massage Therapist Pay

Carrboro vs Greensboro: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Carrboro, NC and Greensboro, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrboro, NC
$61,131
$29.39/hr
Greensboro, NC
$67,064
$32.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrboro, NCGreensboro, NC
Median Salary$61,131$67,064
Hourly Rate$29.39$32.24
Entry Level (P10)$35,455$31,258
25th Percentile$48,697$54,319
75th Percentile$78,247$87,793
Top Earner (P90)$94,753$97,611
Total Employed6130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrboro ($61,131) and Greensboro ($67,064) massage therapist salaries.CarrboroGreensboroMedian Salary$61,131$67,064Entry Level (P10)$35,455$31,258Top Earner (P90)$94,753$97,611US Median $61,975

Verdict

Greensboro, NC offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrboro.

The salary gap between Carrboro and Greensboro is $5,933 (9.71%). Greensboro's median is +8.21% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrboro spans $59,298,Greensboro spans $66,353. Greensboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Carrboro
P10 (Entry)$35,455
P25$48,697
Median$61,131
P75$78,247
P90 (Top)$94,753
Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$31,258
P25$54,319
Median$67,064
P75$87,793
P90 (Top)$97,611

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($72,217 effective) pays 10.57% more than Carrboro ($65,311 effective).

Carrboro
Nominal: $61,131
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $65,311
Greensboro
Nominal: $67,064
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $72,217

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrboro if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,064/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,611)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,217)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Carrboro grew 55.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 59.8% growth in Greensboro over the same period.

Carrboro, NC

+55.6%

$37,052 (2024) → $57,654 (2025)

Greensboro, NC

+59.8%

$39,570 (2019) → $63,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Carrboro or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a higher median massage therapist salary at $67,064/year, compared to Carrboro at $61,131/year — a difference of $5,933 (9.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrboro and Greensboro?

Carrboro massage therapists earn $29.39/hr while Greensboro hygienists earn $32.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrboro to Greensboro as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrboro and Greensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrboro = $65,311, Greensboro = $72,217), job availability (6 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Carrboro vs Greensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $35,455 in Carrboro and $31,258 in Greensboro. The Carrboro area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, LMT

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, LMTData verified by Carlos Ramirez, LMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.03% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov