Massage Therapist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Massage Therapists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $71,480 a year — 22% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,773 take-home, or $4,731 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median massage therapist salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,896
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,432
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,036
- North Carolina income tax$2,343
- Take-home pay$56,773
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Massage Therapist pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,660 | $19.55 | $33,737 | $2,811 |
| 25th percentile | $59,080 | $28.40 | $47,802 | $3,984 |
| Median (50th) | $71,480 | $34.37 | $56,773 | $4,731 |
| 75th percentile | $86,020 | $41.36 | $66,422 | $5,535 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,280 | $45.81 | $72,567 | $6,047 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $71,480 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median massage therapist's $56,773 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,839 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.4× the national concentration of massage therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for massage therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #3 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 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $58,930
Frequently asked questions
How much does a massage therapist make in Raleigh, NC?
The median massage therapist salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $71,480 a year, or about $34.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,080 and $86,020.
What is a massage therapist’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $71,480 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $56,773 a year ($4,731 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,343 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Pay here is 22% above the national median of $58,450. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,839 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #3 of 43 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a massage therapist afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median massage therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Dental Assistant — $58,750
- Phlebotomist — $46,280
- Medical Assistant — $46,160
- Nursing Assistant — $39,710
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $38,110
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $32,570