Massage Therapist Salary in North Carolina: $67,091 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $67,091/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,678 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($81,390), Raleigh ($71,480), Cary ($71,140).
In 2026, the average median salary for massage therapists in North Carolina is projected to be $67,092, surpassing the national median of $61,975 by 8.3%. Salary disparities exist within the state, with Wilmington leading at $86,298, while Asheville sits at the lower end with $50,661, creating a gap of $35,637. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for services, and local market conditions. In North Carolina, massage therapists must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing an accredited program and passing a national exam. The scope of practice laws also influence job duties and expectations. The growing emphasis on wellness and alternative therapies contributes to rising demand for massage services, resulting in a projected annual compound growth rate of 6.03% from 2025. With a total of 2,721 employed massage therapists, the job market appears to be strengthening as demand for health and wellness professionals continues to rise. The top-paying cities also reflect areas where the demand for skilled therapists is high, such as Raleigh at $75,790 and Cary at $75,430. Overall, these factors indicate a positive outlook for massage therapy careers in North Carolina.
North Carolina Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $22,150 (lowest entry-level) to $128,551 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina massage therapists earn 8.25% more than the national median (+$5,116/year difference).
North Carolina Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in North Carolina range from $36,403 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $101,850 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,091. The North Carolina median is $5,116 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $32.26/hr. Approximately 2,721 massage therapists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,404
2025 BLS Actual
$63,276
2026 Current Est.
$67,091
2019–2027 Growth
+80.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,404 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,471 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,337 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,091 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 60.6% from $39,404 (2019) to $63,276 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,733 (80.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Asheville | $50,661 |
| Fayetteville | $59,621 |
| Pinehurst | $59,652 |
| Leland | $60,228 |
| Carrboro | $61,131 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $86,298 | 96.422 | $89,500 |
| Winston | $74,348 | 92.043 | $80,775 |
| Cary | $75,430 | 93.6 | $80,588 |
| Raleigh | $75,790 | 98.157 | $77,213 |
| Greensboro | $67,064 | 92.865 | $72,217 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,403 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,091 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $101,850 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $86,298 |
| 2 | Raleigh | $75,790 |
| 3 | Cary | $75,430 |
| 4 | Winston | $74,348 |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | $67,219 |
| 6 | Greensboro | $67,064 |
| 7 | High Point | $66,031 |
| 8 | Huntersville | $65,553 |
| 9 | Kannapolis | $65,450 |
| 10 | Chapel Hill | $65,400 |
| 11 | Apex | $65,296 |
| 12 | Jacksonville | $65,179 |
| 13 | Durham | $64,859 |
| 14 | Statesville | $64,320 |
| 15 | Kernersville | $64,264 |
| 16 | Matthews | $64,113 |
| 17 | Cornelius | $64,003 |
| 18 | Sanford | $63,947 |
| 19 | Wake Forest | $63,946 |
| 20 | Morrisville | $63,917 |
| 21 | Fuquay-Varina | $63,745 |
| 22 | Salisbury | $63,736 |
| 23 | Thomasville | $63,630 |
| 24 | New Bern | $63,605 |
| 25 | Mint Hill | $63,589 |
| 26 | Burlington | $63,545 |
| 27 | Concord | $63,506 |
| 28 | Hickory | $63,444 |
| 29 | Greenville | $63,344 |
| 30 | Rocky Mount | $62,996 |
| 31 | Holly Springs | $62,583 |
| 32 | Charlotte | $62,483 |
| 33 | Mooresville | $62,387 |
| 34 | Monroe | $62,362 |
| 35 | Garner | $62,221 |
| 36 | Wilson | $62,175 |
| 37 | Boone | $61,906 |
| 38 | Indian Trail | $61,370 |
| 39 | Gastonia | $61,152 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $61,131 |
| 41 | Leland | $60,228 |
| 42 | Pinehurst | $59,652 |
| 43 | Fayetteville | $59,621 |
| 44 | Asheville | $50,661 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in North Carolina?
How many massage therapists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for massage therapists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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