Personal Care & Fitness Charleston, SC Pop. 150,227

Massage Therapist Salary in Charleston, South Carolina

The median massage therapist salary in Charleston, SC is $49,860 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 12.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$49,860
vs State Avg
+$5,485
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
100%

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

Charleston offers a median massage therapist salary of $49,860, which is $5,485 above the South Carolina state average of $44,375. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Charleston pays above average for this role.

Charleston's cost of living is 100% 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 Charleston spans from $28,000 at the 10th percentile to $88,000 at the 90th percentile — a $60,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,000, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $82,000. With a population of 150,227, Charleston is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Massage Therapist Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $30,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $82,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$51,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$82,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, SC

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $28,000
25th Percentile $36,000
Median (50th) $49,860
75th Percentile $68,000
90th Percentile $88,000

Massage Therapist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Charleston

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Charleston and the surrounding South 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 Charleston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Charleston

Browse open massage therapist positions in Charleston, SC:

Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Charleston

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Charleston, SC? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Charleston, South Carolina is $49,860 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $28,000 (10th percentile) to $88,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,860, a massage therapist in Charleston earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the South Carolina state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Charleston's median massage therapist salary of $49,860 is 12.4% above the South Carolina state average of $44,375. The local cost of living index is 100% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, SC? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 100% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $49,860 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Charleston? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Charleston 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.