Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Asheville, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Asheville, NC

Median annual salary $36,660 +4% vs national
Median hourly $17.62
10th percentile $23,940
90th percentile $59,950
Employed locally 430
National median $35,250

Compare Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary & buying power

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Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
in
Asheville, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,940
    25th
    $27,770
    50th (median)
    $36,660
    75th
    $45,920
    90th
    $59,950

    Asheville economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,236 2023 • Census ACS
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary vs area income 53% Median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $60,770
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $60,140
    Bellingham, WA $60,130
    Washington $58,920
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $58,800
    East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area $58,450

    Nearby metros — Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $47,700
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,850
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $40,580
    Winchester, VA-WV $40,240
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $39,740

    Related occupations in Asheville, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Animal Caretakers$28,870
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$49,040
    Childcare Workers$32,730
    Recreation Workers$35,690
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$26,120
    Tour and Travel Guides$35,800

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make per hour in Asheville?

    The median hourly wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Asheville, NC is $17.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.94 or more per hour.

    Is Asheville above or below average for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salaries?

    The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in Asheville, NC is 4% above the national median of $35,250. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Asheville?

    Entry-level Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (10th percentile) earn around $23,940 per year in Asheville, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,770.