Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $38,030 +7.9% vs national
Median hourly $18.29
10th percentile $27,630
90th percentile $72,470
Employed locally 1,940
National median $35,250

Compare Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary & buying power

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

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,630
    25th
    $29,100
    50th (median)
    $38,030
    75th
    $55,220
    90th
    $72,470

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary vs area income 40% Median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary is 60% 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 Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27,850
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$48,060
    Childcare Workers$28,290
    Animal Caretakers$29,830
    Recreation Workers$28,850
    Skincare Specialists$46,370

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Raleigh, NC is $18.29, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.92 or more per hour.

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

    The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in Raleigh, NC is 7.9% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (10th percentile) earn around $27,630 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,100.