Personal Care & Fitness Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

Massage Therapist Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median massage therapist salary in Durham, NC is $47,367 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 3.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$47,367
vs State Avg
+$1,496
vs National
$-2,493
Cost of Living
95%

Massage Therapist Pay in Durham: What to Expect (2026)

Durham offers a median massage therapist salary of $47,367, which is $1,496 above the North Carolina state average of $45,871. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for massage therapists in Durham spans from $26,600 at the 10th percentile to $83,600 at the 90th percentile — a $57,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,500, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $77,900. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Massage Therapist Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $28,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $77,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,500
$-1,500 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$48,450
$-2,550 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$77,900
$-4,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $26,600
25th Percentile $34,200
Median (50th) $47,367
75th Percentile $64,600
90th Percentile $83,600

Massage Therapist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$48,863
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$48,863
Pop. 467,665
Greensboro, NC
$43,877
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$42,880
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Durham

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Durham and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Massage TechniquesAnatomyClient AssessmentCommunicationPhysical StaminaHygiene

Job Outlook

Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Durham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Durham

Browse open massage therapist positions in Durham, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Durham

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Durham, North Carolina is $47,367 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $26,600 (10th percentile) to $83,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $47,367, a massage therapist in Durham earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Durham's median massage therapist salary of $47,367 is 3.3% above the North Carolina state average of $45,871. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $47,367 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Durham? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Durham require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Massage Techniques, Anatomy, Client Assessment, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.