Massage Therapist Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $59,621 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $59,621/year (≈ $28.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $64,821 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Fayetteville, NC, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,621, a figure slightly below the national median of $61,975. Salary ranges in this field can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $33,421 and experienced practitioners potentially earning as much as $109,911. These estimates, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect the evolving dynamics of the wellness industry in Fayetteville. Therapists looking to establish their own practices might find enticing cash-pay potential, yet they must also contend with overhead costs and the responsibility of attracting clientele. This balance between steady income from established spas or clinics and the lucrative opportunities associated with self-employment can significantly influence the overall job market for massage therapists in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,421 | $16.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,499 | $26.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,621 | $28.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,207 | $43.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,911 | $52.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,490 (2026 est.). At $59,621, the local median is 3.8% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $59,621/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,876 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -3.80% less |
Massage Therapists in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $59,621 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 8.10% below the North Carolina state average of $64,876.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $59,621 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,821 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,194
2025 BLS Actual
$56,230
2026 Current Est.
$59,621
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,194 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,966 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,209 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,621 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $41,194 (2019) to $56,230 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,022 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $33,421 – $54,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,499 – $59,621 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,621 – $91,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,207 – $109,911 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Fayetteville
Fayetteville's local job market for massage therapists includes approximately 60 professionals, fostering a competitive environment for employment where earnings can greatly fluctuate. The area's cost of living index, recorded at 91.978, is below the national average, which positively impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for massage therapists. Employers such as day spas, franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, and chiropractic clinics often dominate the local landscape, with some offering lower hourly wages than self-employed practitioners. The differences in pay arise from various factors, including the employment structure, potential tips of 15-25% for services in spas, and specialization premiums. Those who wish to maximize their pay in Fayetteville might consider honing skills in high-demand specialties or opting for self-employment, where the earning potential can significantly surpass that found in traditional employment models.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $56,230 for massage therapistsin the Fayetteville 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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