How to Become A Massage Therapist in South Carolina
South Carolina employs approximately 1,840 massage therapists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,000 1. The state’s concentration of massage therapist jobs is 1.25x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 South Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Massage Therapist in South Carolina
How do I become a massage therapist in South Carolina? South Carolina requires credentials such as Massage Therapist Provisional, Massage/Body Work Therapist. The licensing authority is the SC Massage / Bodywork Panel 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 South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for massage therapists. The SC Massage / Bodywork Panel oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do massage therapists earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for massage therapists in South Carolina is $58,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $17,340 and experienced professionals can earn $95,540 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: SC Massage / Bodywork Panel
- Median wage (South Carolina): $58,000 per year 1
Massage Therapist License Requirements in South Carolina
The SC Massage / Bodywork Panel oversees massage therapist licensing in South Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist Provisional | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
| Massage/Body Work Therapist | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Massage Therapist Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Massage Therapists Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), massage therapists wages in South 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 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 400 | $62,140 | $62,730 | $18,960 | $99,410 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 270 | $48,730 | $51,590 | $18,220 | $95,520 |
| Spartanburg | 270 | $60,100 | $64,020 | $39,840 | $91,110 |
| Columbia | 240 | $59,310 | $53,900 | $17,840 | $88,960 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 160 | $39,360 | $44,620 | $15,240 | $94,660 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | 140 | $62,120 | $64,970 | $17,100 | $102,800 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 130 | $58,800 | $61,590 | $41,570 | $88,760 |
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 South Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest massage therapist employment within South Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston | 400 | $62,140 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 270 | $48,730 |
| Spartanburg | 270 | $60,100 |
| Columbia | 240 | $59,310 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 160 | $39,360 |
Explore massage therapist programs in Charleston, Greenville, and Spartanburg.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for massage therapists in South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 1,840 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 South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the SC Massage / Bodywork Panel for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in South Carolina.
How much do massage therapists earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for massage therapists in South Carolina is $58,000, which is $50 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
SC Massage / Bodywork Panel - Licensing Information: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Massagetherapy/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |