Massage Therapist Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $65,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $65,179/year (≈ $31.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $69,636 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, the projected salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $65,179, which aligns closely with the national median of $61,975, offering a slight edge of 5.17%. The salary range in the area is wide, spanning from $37,804 at the lower end (P10) to $101,028 for the top earners (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account local market conditions and regional price adjusters. The pay scales for massage therapists vary significantly within the Jacksonville market, typically reflecting the structures of their employment — franchise spas like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone generally provide steady incomes albeit at a lower pay rate than that of independent or self-employed practitioners who can generate higher earnings through direct payment models. This variation underscores the dynamics of the local job market for massage therapists.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,804 | $18.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,179 | $31.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,429 | $40.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,028 | $48.57 |
Median Salary Position
5.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,224 (2026 est.). At $65,179, the local median is 5.17% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $65,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,854 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +5.17% more |
Massage Therapists in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $65,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.17% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.50% above the North Carolina state average of $64,854.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville 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.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $65,179 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,636 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,034
2025 BLS Actual
$61,472
2026 Current Est.
$65,179
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,034 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,875 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,335 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,438 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,506 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,109 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $45,034 (2019) to $61,472 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,109 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,075 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $37,804 – $47,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,400 – $65,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,179 – $83,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,429 – $101,028 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Jacksonville
With only 17 massage therapists currently employed in the Jacksonville area, the competition remains relatively low, which can be favorable for those seeking employment. The cost of living index in Jacksonville stands at 93.6, meaning that while salaries might be competitive, the general affordability of the region enhances purchasing power for professionals in this field. Among local employers, those in franchise operations like Massage Envy typically pay less compared to those in specialized clinics or self-employed individuals, where tips can contribute significantly to overall compensation. Factors like practice specialization, client relationships, and marketing strategies can greatly influence income potential. For those looking to maximize their massage therapist pay in Jacksonville, focusing on niche markets, building a loyal client base, and considering mobile services could lead to more lucrative outcomes in a market characterized by diverse earning structures.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
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
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 $61,472 for massage therapistsin the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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