Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $43,700. BLS estimates approximately 1,810 people work in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Raleigh-Cary, NC is 22.1% above the national median ($35,790).
Salary Distribution
Not everyone earns the median. Percentile wages show the range of pay within this occupation.
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,300 | $13.13 |
| 25th percentile | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| Median (50th) | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| 75th percentile | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| 90th percentile | $70,550 | $33.92 |
Data Reliability
BLS OEWS is a survey, not a full census — every estimate carries a margin of error. The relative standard error (RSE) below is BLS’s own measure of how much an estimate could vary; lower is more precise.
- Wage estimate
- RSE 6.4% — Reliable
- Employment estimate
- RSE 9.8% — Reliable
Where Does Your Salary Fall?
Enter an annual salary to see roughly where it falls among reported wages for this occupation, based on the percentile points above.
Concentration
- Jobs per 1,000
- 2.437
- Location quotient
- 1.24
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh-Cary, NC’s regional price level is below the national average (index 98.157, where 100 = U.S. average). Adjusted for that, the median salary has the purchasing power of $44,521 at the national price level.
This is a Career Atlas USA calculation based on BLS wage data and BEA Regional Price Parities. It is not a separate BLS wage estimate. Wage data: May 2025. Cost-of-living data: 2024.
Sources
Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — May 2025 (release 25).
Figures shown as “Not available” reflect wages the source does not publish (e.g. suppressed for reliability), not zero.