Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $24.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Greenville, SC runs $24.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,668 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,004 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, South Carolina, the average massage therapist earns a median hourly rate of $24.84, which is notably lower than the national median of $29.80. For those working part-time—approximately three days a week—this hourly pay translates into a flexible yet limited income, especially appealing for professionals balancing other commitments. Per-diem therapists, who often work in settings such as spas, chiropractic clinics, and mobile setups, also find themselves within a wide hourly range, from $9.29 at entry-level positions to $48.70 for experienced practitioners. In this environment, the ability to work in various locations—from hotels and cruise ships to independent practices—provides therapists the chance to explore different income potentials.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.29 | $74.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.16 | $145.30 |
| Median (P50) | $24.84 | $198.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.75 | $277.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.70 | $389.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $24.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.84/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $51,673 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,811. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $993.71 | $4,306 | $51,673 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $596.23 | $2,584 | $31,004 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $397.49 | $1,722 | $20,669 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Greenville) | $24.84 |
| 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 Greenville, SC earn a median of $51,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.63% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 18.40% below the South Carolina state average of $63,319.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.84/hr = $31,004/year (purchasing power: $33,245).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,673/year (purchasing power: $55,408).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Greenville grew 5.7% from $22.17/hr (2019) to $23.43/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.34/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
Earning potential varies significantly for massage therapists in Greenville, particularly among those pursuing part-time work or operating on a per-diem basis. For a therapist working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay can average around $30,000, compared to the higher earnings of full-time colleagues. Meanwhile, per-diem massage therapists may charge between $25 to $100 per session depending on their employer type and the setting they work in. Self-employed therapists working in-home services can significantly increase their earnings, with fees ranging from $80 to $200 for an hour-long session. Meanwhile, those in franchises like Massage Envy may start at a lower hourly rate but benefit from steady client bookings without the burden of marketing their services. Balancing benefits and hourly pay can be tricky, as some therapists choose lower-paying jobs with health insurance while others opt for self-employment for higher rates. For those navigating the massage therapy market in Greenville, understanding these dynamics is vital for successfully negotiating hourly pay and optimizing income.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Greenville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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