Massage Therapist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $86,298 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $86,298/year (≈ $41.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $89,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 33.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For massage therapists in Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $86,298, positioning it significantly above the national average of $61,975. Salaries vary widely in this field, with the lowest earners making around $22,150, while top practitioners can earn as much as $128,551. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the diverse employment opportunities within the area. While franchise operations like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone may offer more steady client bookings, they generally provide lower pay compared to self-employed therapists who can optimize their earnings through direct client relationships and premium service offerings. The nuances of Wilmington's market create an environment where job seekers must navigate the differences in compensation and employment structures carefully.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,150 | $10.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,678 | $15.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,298 | $41.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,611 | $45.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,551 | $61.80 |
Median Salary Position
39.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,401 (2026 est.). At $86,298, the local median is 39.25% above the national median of $61,975.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be above the median
How Wilmington Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $86,298/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,837 | +33.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +39.25% more |
Massage Therapists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $86,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.25% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 33.10% above the North Carolina state average of $64,837.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $86,298 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,500 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,330
2025 BLS Actual
$81,390
2026 Current Est.
$86,298
2019–2027 Growth
+97.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,298 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 75.7% from $46,330 (2019) to $81,390 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,172 (97.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $22,150 – $32,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,678 – $86,298 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,298 – $94,611 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,611 – $128,551 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Wilmington
The local job market for massage therapists in Wilmington is relatively robust, with about 120 individuals currently employed in this sector. A cost-of-living index of 96.422 indicates that living expenses are lower than the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local therapists. Among the various employment options, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics often offer competitive rates, potentially exceeding those of franchise spas, while high-end resort and hotel spas provide avenues for higher earning potential with higher service fees. The broad salary range can be attributed to factors such as tip income, which can contribute an additional 15-25% per session, and the growing demand for specialized services like oncology or sports massage. For those looking to maximize earnings, adopting strategies that include self-marketing, obtaining advanced certifications, and building a loyal clientele will be beneficial in the Wilmington market, helping therapists to harness the higher compensation potential available.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $81,390 for massage therapistsin the Wilmington 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, 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