Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $40,580 +15.1% vs national
Median hourly $19.51
10th percentile $27,610
90th percentile $82,670
Employed locally 490
National median $35,250

Compare Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Durham, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,610
    25th
    $29,940
    50th (median)
    $40,580
    75th
    $61,790
    90th
    $82,670

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary vs area income 50% Median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary is 50% 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
    Winchester, VA-WV $40,240
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $39,740
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $38,030

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers$30,280
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27,660
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$48,890
    Recreation Workers$36,400
    Animal Caretakers$30,640
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$29,120

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Durham, NC is $19.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.44 or more per hour.

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

    The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in Durham, NC is 15.1% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (10th percentile) earn around $27,610 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,940.