North Carolina Median
$60,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $58,450
State Rank
#22 of 50
2,460 employed here
How much does a Massage Therapist make in North Carolina?
Massage Therapists in North Carolina take home a median of $60,650 annually — roughly $29.16 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $58,450.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $31,050 while the top 10% make $96,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,100 and $85,150 a year.
Massage Therapist salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,050 | $14.93 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,100 | $23.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,650 | $29.16 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $85,150 | $40.94 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,510 | $46.40 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 22nd out of 50 states and territories for Massage Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Massage Therapist salary in other states
Alaska $134,930Washington $87,360Oregon $86,970Hawaii $81,280New Hampshire $80,360Rhode Island $74,960North Dakota $74,140Maine $73,290Michigan $70,960District of Columbia $64,110Massachusetts $63,390Minnesota $63,070New York $62,630Arizona $62,400Maryland $62,270Connecticut $62,260Virginia $62,220Utah $62,130Missouri $62,050Wyoming $61,980Colorado $61,060Illinois $60,490Idaho $60,420Kentucky $59,790Texas $59,370Delaware $58,870Pennsylvania $58,300Wisconsin $58,070South Carolina $58,000Iowa $57,710Ohio $55,990Indiana $55,590Nebraska $53,950Montana $53,540Nevada $53,540South Dakota $52,000Georgia $50,820New Jersey $50,150Tennessee $50,070Kansas $49,990Florida $49,680Alabama $48,930West Virginia $46,600California $45,970Mississippi $40,490Arkansas $39,990New Mexico $37,840Oklahoma $36,630Louisiana $36,480
Working as a Massage Therapist in North Carolina
Nationally, about 99,000 people work as Massage Therapists in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($60,650) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Massage Therapist make in North Carolina?
The median Massage Therapist salary in North Carolina is $60,650 per year, or about $29.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,050 at the entry level to $96,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Massage Therapists about 4% more than the national median of $58,450. North Carolina ranks 22nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Massage Therapists?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,650 a year. About 2,460 Massage Therapists are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Massage Therapist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.