Massage Therapist Salary in Goose Creek, SC: $60,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Goose Creek, SC earns a median $60,789/year (≈ $29.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Goose Creek's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $66,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Massage therapists in Goose Creek, South Carolina, can anticipate a median annual salary of $60,789 in 2026, a figure that slightly trails the national average of $61,975. While the salary range spans from $37,797 at the 10th percentile to as high as $94,224 at the 90th percentile, these numbers reflect estimates derived from state-level data and adjustments for the regional cost of living. Operating as a self-employed practitioner presents unique financial challenges, notably the responsibility for marketing and overhead costs, yet offers the potential for significantly higher earnings. With this in mind, those working in Goose Creek can position themselves competitively in the job market by understanding local demand and tailoring their services accordingly.
About the Goose Creek Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,797 | $18.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,378 | $21.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,789 | $29.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,224 | $45.30 |
Median Salary Position
1.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goose Creek
In Goose Creek, SC, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,427 (2026 est.). At $60,789, the local median is 1.91% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goose Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Goose Creek Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Goose Creek median: $60,789/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goose Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $63,322 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -1.91% less |
Massage Therapists in Goose Creek, SC earn a median of $60,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.91% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.00% below the South Carolina state average of $63,322.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goose Creek has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goose Creek, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $60,789 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,436 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,001
2025 BLS Actual
$57,332
2026 Current Est.
$60,789
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Goose Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,786 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,906 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,252 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,903 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goose Creek metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $42,001 (2019) to $57,332 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,454 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goose Creek 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) | $37,797 – $45,378 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,378 – $60,789 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,789 – $77,810 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,810 – $94,224 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Goose Creek
The local job market for massage therapists in Goose Creek currently includes 11 professionals, indicating a limited supply and potential opportunities for growth. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, therapists may find their take-home pay goes further than in more expensive areas, enhancing their overall earning potential. Employers such as day spas, chiropractic clinics, and physical therapy practices will vary greatly in compensation, with some offering higher pay than franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone. The substantial income disparities are driven by factors including self-employment income, which can allow practitioners to charge higher rates, and the influence of tips, especially in spa environments where gratuities can account for a significant portion of earnings. Aspiring therapists should consider niche opportunities, such as specializing in prenatal or sports massage, to capture higher pay within this market.
More salary data for Goose Creek, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Goose Creek, SC in 2026?
Is Goose Creek, SC a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Goose Creek?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Goose Creek?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Goose Creek?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $57,332 for massage therapistsin the Goose Creek 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 Goose Creek 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