Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $30.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Burlington, NC runs $30.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,545 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,123 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the massage therapist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $30.55 in 2026, which outpaces the national hourly median of $29.80. This discrepancy in pay positions local therapists favorably, especially considering job settings such as spas, chiropractic clinics, sports team training rooms, and mobile setups. For those working part-time, say three days a week, this hourly rate means they can earn a substantial income even without full-time hours. Entry-level massage therapists can expect to earn around $18.28 per hour while those at the pinnacle of their profession can command rates as high as $47.35 per hour. It’s essential that aspiring therapists understand these figures, as they reflect the economic realities of the profession in Burlington and help to set expectations for income based on varied experience and work environments.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.28 | $146.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.11 | $184.92 |
| Median (P50) | $30.55 | $244.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.10 | $312.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.35 | $378.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $30.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.55/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $63,538 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,657. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,221.89 | $5,295 | $63,538 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.13 | $3,177 | $38,123 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.76 | $2,118 | $25,415 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Burlington) | $30.55 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $32.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Exercise Trainer/Fitness Instructor (National Avg) | $23.95 |
Massage Therapists in Burlington, NC earn a median of $63,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $64,842.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.55/hr = $38,123/year (purchasing power: $40,730).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,538/year (purchasing power: $67,883).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Burlington grew 36.5% from $21.11/hr (2019) to $28.81/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.39/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem massage therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Massage Therapist in Burlington
When considering part-time work or per-diem positions, it's crucial to calculate annual earnings. A part-time therapist working 24 hours a week at a rate of $30.55 would earn approximately $38,000 per year. On the other hand, per-diem massage therapists often have varied earning scenarios; they can charge anywhere from $25 to $100 per session in chain environments or significantly more as self-employed practitioners. The flexibility in billing rates—$80 to $150 per session for private clients and $120 to $200 for mobile services—highlights the potential earnings disparity across different employer types in Burlington. Various facilities like resorts, day spas, and sports clinics might offer lower hourly rates in exchange for consistent work and health benefits, while self-employed therapists may face higher operational costs but enjoy greater autonomy and potentially higher earnings. Negotiating terms that reflect the value of one's skills and services is critical for success in this evolving field.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time massage therapists make in Burlington?
Are massage therapists in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time massage therapist make per year in Burlington?
Do massage therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for massage therapists in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov