Personal Care & Fitness Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

Massage Therapist Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median massage therapist salary in Columbia, SC is $44,874 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$44,874
vs State Avg
+$499
vs National
$-4,986
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median massage therapist salary of $44,874, which is $499 above the South Carolina state average of $44,375. Compared to the national median of $49,860, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% 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 Columbia spans from $25,200 at the 10th percentile to $79,200 at the 90th percentile — a $54,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,000, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $73,800. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Massage Therapist Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $27,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $73,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,000
$-3,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$45,900
$-5,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$73,800
$-8,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $25,200
25th Percentile $32,400
Median (50th) $44,874
75th Percentile $61,200
90th Percentile $79,200

Massage Therapist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$52,353
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$49,860
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$47,367
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$45,871
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Columbia

Education

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

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Columbia

Browse open massage therapist positions in Columbia, SC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Columbia

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $44,874 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $25,200 (10th percentile) to $79,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $44,874, a massage therapist in Columbia earns approximately $22 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for massage therapist pay? ▼
Columbia's median massage therapist salary of $44,874 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $44,375. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a massage therapist salary of $44,874 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Columbia? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Columbia 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.