Massage Therapist Salary in Concord, NC: $63,506 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Concord, NC earns a median $63,506/year (≈ $30.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Concord's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $67,848 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in Concord, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $63,506 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $61,975. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, spanning from $36,834 at the 10th percentile to $98,434 at the 90th percentile, which reflects the diverse earning potential based on experience, client base, and employment structure. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, adjust for the regional cost of living, which is beneficial for those balancing their earnings against overhead costs and marketing as self-employed professionals. The Concord market, characterized by relatively few positions with only 24 practicing massage therapists, creates a competitive but potentially lucrative environment for skilled practitioners.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,834 | $17.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,825 | $22.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,506 | $30.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,287 | $39.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,434 | $47.32 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
In Concord, NC, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,600 (2026 est.). At $63,506, the local median is 2.47% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Concord: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Concord Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Concord median: $63,506/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Concord Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,868 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +2.47% more |
Massage Therapists in Concord, NC earn a median of $63,506 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.10% below the North Carolina state average of $64,868.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Concord has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Concord, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $63,506 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,848 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,878
2025 BLS Actual
$59,894
2026 Current Est.
$63,506
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,878 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,698 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,355 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,894 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,506 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Concord metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $43,878 (2019) to $59,894 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,457 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,834 – $45,825 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,825 – $63,506 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,506 – $81,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,287 – $98,434 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Concord
In terms of maximizing compensation in this vibrant market, therapists should consider the implications of the area's cost of living, recorded at 93.6, which is below the national average. This factor enhances take-home pay, making it an appealing location for providers to establish their practices. While those in franchise settings like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone may earn less due to the structured pay model, independent therapists can significantly increase their income through direct client relationships, with hourly rates sometimes reaching $80-$150 for cash-pay services. The significant income disparity seen here can also arise from tips, specialty service premiums, and patient volume, with larger facilities often offering lower hourly rates but higher client turnover. To thrive in Concord's market, massage professionals should focus on establishing a solid client base, exploring specialization, and minimizing overhead where possible.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,894 for massage therapistsin the Concord metropolitan area. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord 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