Massage Therapist Salary in Charlotte, NC
Massage Therapists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $58,930 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $47,688 take-home, or $3,974 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,892
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,654
- Medicare (1.45%)$854
- North Carolina income tax$1,843
- Take-home pay$47,688
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,740 | $15.74 | $27,689 | $2,307 |
| 25th percentile | $32,740 | $15.74 | $27,689 | $2,307 |
| Median (50th) | $58,930 | $28.33 | $47,688 | $3,974 |
| 75th percentile | $86,320 | $41.50 | $66,621 | $5,552 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,690 | $46.49 | $73,502 | $6,125 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $58,930 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $47,688 take-home pay has the buying power of $48,987 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Massage Therapist jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.07).
Best-paying cities for massage therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #16 of 43 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $94,220 | $75,114 | $67,589 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $84,730 | $61,853 | $58,673 |
| 3 | Raleigh, NC | $71,480 | $56,773 | $57,839 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $70,960 | $55,985 | $55,819 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $75,340 | $58,232 | $55,553 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $75,160 | $58,167 | $53,726 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $60,460 | $50,760 | $51,761 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $59,290 | $47,999 | $50,701 |
| 16 | Charlotte, NC | $58,930 | $47,688 | $48,987 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 43 metros →
Massage Therapist salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $71,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Charlotte, NC?
The median massage therapist salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $58,930 a year, or about $28.33 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,740 and $86,320.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $58,930 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $47,688 a year ($3,974 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,843 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $48,987 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #16 of 43 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median massage therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Occupational Therapy Assistant — $72,780
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $70,720
- Dental Assistant — $50,060
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $47,830
- Medical Assistant — $46,520
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $46,420
- Phlebotomist — $44,980
- Nursing Assistant — $39,430
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $37,780
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $33,680