SOC 31-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Massage Therapists — Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Massage Therapists in Wilmington, NC is $81,390 per year, well above the national median of $58,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Massage Therapists in Wilmington, NC is $81,390 per year, well above the national median of $58,450. The gap of 39.2% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $30,820 and $89,230. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $20,890 and the ninetieth at $121,240.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Raleigh records the highest median at $71,480. Of the 413 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 91st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,890 | −64.3% |
| 25th | $30,820 | −47.3% |
| Median (50th) | $81,390 | +39.2% |
| 75th | $89,230 | +52.7% |
| 90th | $121,240 | +107.4% |
| Mean | $68,040 | +16.4% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $71,480 | 650 | |
| 2 | Winston-Salem | $70,120 | 70 | |
| 3 | Greensboro | $63,250 | 130 | |
| 4 | Durham | $61,170 | 130 | |
| 5 | Charlotte | $58,930 | 930 | |
| 6 | Pinehurst | $56,260 | 80 | |
| 7 | Fayetteville | $56,230 | 60 | |
| 8 | Asheville | $47,780 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wilmington run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $81,390 goes as far as $86,310 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 47.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$81,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$86,310US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $81,390 a year, 39.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,890 to $121,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Raleigh, at $71,480.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Massage Therapists in Wilmington, NC?
The median annual wage is $81,390, or $39.13 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,450, so pay in Wilmington, NC is 39.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Wilmington, NC earns more than $121,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,890 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Raleigh, at $71,480 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Wilmington, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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