How to Become A Massage Therapist in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 2,460 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,650 1. Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 15.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 24,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a massage therapist in North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in North Carolina
How do I become a massage therapist in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Massage And Bodywork Therapist, Massage And Bodywork Therapist Privilege. The licensing authority is the NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for massage therapists in North Carolina is $60,650 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,050 and experienced professionals can earn $96,510 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy
- Median wage (North Carolina): $60,650 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Massage Therapist License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy oversees massage therapist licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage And Bodywork Therapist | Massage And Bodywork Therapists Engage In The Practice Of Massage And Bodywork Therapy To Any Person For A Fee. |
| Massage And Bodywork Therapist Privilege | Professions and/or Businesses Requiring a Privilege License: A physician, a veterinarian, a surgeon, an osteopath, a chiropractor, a chiropodist, a dentist, an ophthalmologist, an optician, an optomet… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 930 | $58,930 | $63,130 | $32,740 | $96,690 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 650 | $71,480 | $71,770 | $40,660 | $95,280 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 540 | $57,510 | $65,840 | $37,640 | $102,200 |
| Asheville | 130 | $47,780 | $51,620 | $30,560 | $74,720 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 130 | $61,170 | $72,020 | $31,360 | $97,290 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 130 | $63,250 | $66,670 | $29,480 | $92,060 |
| Wilmington | 120 | $81,390 | $68,040 | $20,890 | $121,240 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 80 | $56,260 | $58,820 | $28,560 | $89,980 |
| Winston-Salem | 70 | $70,120 | $71,390 | $37,390 | $99,580 |
| Fayetteville | 60 | $56,230 | $67,290 | $31,520 | $103,660 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Massage therapists in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 930 | $58,930 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 650 | $71,480 |
| Asheville | 130 | $47,780 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 130 | $61,170 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 130 | $63,250 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 2,460 massage therapists 1. Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 15.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a massage therapist in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do massage therapists earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in North Carolina is $60,650, which is $2,700 above the national median of $57,950 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy - Licensing Information: https://www.bmbt.org ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |