Massage Therapist salary in Wilmington, NC
Massage Therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $81,390 a year ($39.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,240 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $58,450. Pay here is 34% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $60,650. There are 0.60 massage therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,040, close to the median.
Pay range for massage therapists in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,890 | $10.05 |
| 25th percentile | $30,820 | $14.82 |
| Median | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| 75th percentile | $89,230 | $42.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,240 | $58.29 |
| Average (mean) | $68,040 | $32.71 |
Half of massage therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,782.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,391.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,130.38 |
| Weekly | $1,565.19 |
| Hourly | $39.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Massage Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $71,480 | 650 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $70,120 | 70 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $63,250 | 130 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,170 | 130 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,930 | 930 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $57,510 | 540 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $56,260 | 80 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $56,230 | 60 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,780 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for massage therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $134,930 |
| Washington | $87,360 |
| Oregon | $86,970 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| Rhode Island | $74,960 |
| North Dakota | $74,140 |
| Maine | $73,290 |
| Michigan | $70,960 |
| District of Columbia | $64,110 |
See Massage Therapist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Dental Assistant | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $31,510 | $15.15 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for massage therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $81,390 a year, or $39.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid massage therapists make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of massage therapists in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $121,240 a year. The top 25% earn $89,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for massage therapists in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,890 a year, and a quarter of massage therapists earn $30,820 or less.
How many massage therapists work in Wilmington, NC?
About 120 massage therapists are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.