Massage Therapist Salary in South Carolina: $59,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $59,943/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,511 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($63,465), Charleston ($62,140), Hilton Head Island ($62,120).
In 2026, the average median salary for massage therapists in South Carolina is projected to be $59,943, which is slightly below the national median of $61,975, reflecting a difference of 3.3%. The salary gap between the highest paying city, North Charleston at $67,292, and the lowest, Conway at $40,964, stands at $26,328. This disparity is influenced by factors such as local demand for wellness services, cost of living, and the density of health and wellness facilities in each area. South Carolina requires massage therapists to obtain a state license, which involves completing a minimum number of educational hours and passing a licensure exam. The scope of practice laws allow therapists to perform a variety of techniques, promoting a diverse job environment. Demand for massage therapy is driven by an increased public interest in health and wellness, with an annual growth rate projected at 6.03% from 2025 according to BLS data. With 1,638 massage therapists employed across the state, cities like Charleston ($65,887), Hilton Head Island ($65,866), Bluffton ($64,615), and Mount Pleasant ($64,234) also present strong salary opportunities. This indicates a healthy job market for aspiring massage therapists in South Carolina.
South Carolina Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $16,159 (lowest entry-level) to $108,999 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina massage therapists earn 3.28% less than the national median ($-2,032/year difference).
South Carolina Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in South Carolina range from $24,476 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,462 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,943. The South Carolina median is $2,032 below the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $28.82/hr. Approximately 1,638 massage therapists are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,628
2025 BLS Actual
$56,534
2026 Current Est.
$59,943
2019–2027 Growth
+73.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,628 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,062 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,298 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,534 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,557 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 54.3% from $36,628 (2019) to $56,534 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,557 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,929 (73.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Conway | $40,964 |
| Myrtle Beach | $41,733 |
| Greenville | $51,668 |
| Anderson | $52,861 |
| Greer | $52,914 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $67,292 | 91.5 | $73,543 |
| Bluffton | $64,615 | 91.5 | $70,617 |
| Mount Pleasant | $64,234 | 91.5 | $70,201 |
| Spartanburg | $63,724 | 91.051 | $69,987 |
| Rock Hill | $63,051 | 91.5 | $68,908 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $24,476 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,943 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,462 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $67,292 |
| 2 | Charleston | $65,887 |
| 3 | Hilton Head Island | $65,866 |
| 4 | Bluffton | $64,615 |
| 5 | Mount Pleasant | $64,234 |
| 6 | Spartanburg | $63,724 |
| 7 | Rock Hill | $63,051 |
| 8 | Columbia | $62,886 |
| 9 | Aiken | $62,774 |
| 10 | Hanahan | $62,686 |
| 11 | Mauldin | $62,317 |
| 12 | Summerville | $61,983 |
| 13 | Florence | $61,462 |
| 14 | Simpsonville | $60,961 |
| 15 | Fort Mill | $60,932 |
| 16 | Goose Creek | $60,789 |
| 17 | Sumter | $60,289 |
| 18 | Lexington | $59,795 |
| 19 | Easley | $58,729 |
| 20 | Tega Cay | $58,405 |
| 21 | Clemson | $58,295 |
| 22 | Greer | $52,914 |
| 23 | Anderson | $52,861 |
| 24 | Greenville | $51,668 |
| 25 | Myrtle Beach | $41,733 |
| 26 | Conway | $40,964 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new massage therapists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in South Carolina?
How many massage therapists are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for massage therapists?
Written by Jordan Lee, LMT
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov