North Carolina Median
$38,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $35,790
State Rank
#10 of 50
8,490 employed here
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in North Carolina?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $38,410 per year, or about $18.47 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $35,790 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $26,880 while the top 10% make $61,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,270 and $48,300 a year.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,880 | $12.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,270 | $14.07 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,410 | $18.47 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,300 | $23.22 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,530 | $29.58 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 10th out of 50 states and territories for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in other states
Washington $59,510Oregon $57,580District of Columbia $54,570South Dakota $49,800Vermont $48,650Connecticut $44,620Maine $44,000Minnesota $39,170California $38,660Montana $38,000New Mexico $37,750Colorado $37,690Massachusetts $37,290Arizona $36,810Pennsylvania $36,790Maryland $36,420Ohio $36,260Wisconsin $36,230New Jersey $36,150New York $35,760Iowa $35,700Idaho $35,480Utah $35,140Hawaii $35,040North Dakota $34,850Michigan $34,820New Hampshire $34,650Georgia $34,560West Virginia $34,480Delaware $34,350Nebraska $34,320Illinois $34,040Nevada $33,840South Carolina $33,700Indiana $32,830Alaska $32,150Tennessee $31,310Rhode Island $31,200Missouri $30,750Texas $30,680Kentucky $29,840Kansas $29,710Oklahoma $29,650Florida $29,530Wyoming $29,170Alabama $29,150Arkansas $28,830Mississippi $27,560Louisiana $26,030
Working as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in North Carolina
Nationally, about 306,000 people work as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($38,410) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in North Carolina?
The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in North Carolina is $38,410 per year, or about $18.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,880 at the entry level to $61,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists about 7% more than the national median of $35,790. North Carolina ranks 10th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,410 a year. About 8,490 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.