Personal Care & Fitness Raleigh, NC Pop. 467,665

Massage Therapist Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina

The median massage therapist salary in Raleigh, NC is $48,863 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 6.5% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$48,863
vs State Avg
+$2,992
vs National
$-997
Cost of Living
98%

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

Raleigh offers a median massage therapist salary of $48,863, which is $2,992 above the North Carolina state average of $45,871. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Raleigh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Raleigh's cost of living is 98% 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 Raleigh spans from $27,440 at the 10th percentile to $86,240 at the 90th percentile — a $58,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $29,400, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $80,360. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Massage Therapist Salary in Raleigh by Experience

In Raleigh, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $29,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $80,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$29,400
$-600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,980
$-1,020 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$80,360
$-1,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Raleigh, NC

Percentile Raleigh
10th Percentile $27,440
25th Percentile $35,280
Median (50th) $48,863
75th Percentile $66,640
90th Percentile $86,240

Massage Therapist Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$48,863
Pop. 874,579
Durham, NC
$47,367
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$43,877
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$42,880
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Raleigh

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Raleigh 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 Raleigh may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Raleigh

Browse open massage therapist positions in Raleigh, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Raleigh

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Raleigh, NC? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $48,863 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $27,440 (10th percentile) to $86,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Raleigh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $48,863, a massage therapist in Raleigh earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Raleigh compare to the North Carolina state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Raleigh's median massage therapist salary of $48,863 is 6.5% above the North Carolina state average of $45,871. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Raleigh, NC? ▼
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $48,863 in Raleigh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Raleigh? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Raleigh 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.