Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists · North Carolina

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in North Carolina

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $38,410 —7.3% above the national median of $35,790. That ranks NC #10 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$38,410
Median hourly
$18.47
Entry level (P10)
$26,880
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$61,530
90th percentile
Employment
8,490
1.7 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+7.3%
U.S. $35,790

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$26,880
$29,270
$38,410
$48,300
$26,880$38,410$61,530
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $38,410.

Employment concentration (0.87×) is close to the national average.

Highest-paying states for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Washington$59,510$28.616,9300.99
2Oregon$57,580$27.681,8600.48
3District of Columbia$54,570$26.238700.63
4South Dakota$49,800$23.946900.77
5Vermont$48,650$23.394400.73
6Connecticut$44,620$21.454,0901.23
7Maine$44,000$21.169700.77
8Minnesota$39,170$18.835,3200.92
9California$38,660$18.5927,0800.76
10North Carolina$38,410$18.478,4900.87

Related occupations in North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

OccupationNorth Carolina medianU.S. median
Childcare Workers$29,140$34,980
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26,680$32,150
Recreation Workers$32,720$36,560
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$46,450$47,160
Animal Caretakers$30,870$35,360
Manicurists and Pedicurists$34,740$35,760

Frequently asked questions

How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in North Carolina is $38,410, or $18.47 per hour. That is 7.3% above the national median of $35,790.

What is the entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary in North Carolina?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $26,880 per year ($12.92/hour). The 25th percentile is $29,270.

How many people work as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in North Carolina?

About 8,490 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 1.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is North Carolina a good state for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?

North Carolina ranks #10 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.87x) is close to the national average.

Which state pays hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?

Washington has the highest median wage at $59,510 per year, followed by Oregon ($57,580) and District of Columbia ($54,570).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes