Quick answer: Cosmetologists in North Carolina earn a median of $38,410 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists accredited cosmetologist schools in North Carolina with local wage data and median graduate earnings for each school.
Comparing cosmetologist schools in North Carolina starts with the local labor market and the credentials each program offers. For context, the state median annual wage for this occupation is approximately $38,410 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
North Carolina Quick Facts
Metric
Value
Source
State median annual wage
$38,410
BLS OEWS, May 2025
North Carolina pay range (10th to 90th percentile)
The school listings below are sorted by proximity to Programs. Each entry includes the school name, address, and the credentials offered. Use the North Carolina figures above as a reference point when comparing program length, schedule, and tuition.
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 12 schools
within 48 miles, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
11 of them carry a score.
1 does not have enough federal
outcome data to score, and appears last rather than being hidden.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsSource: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists annual wage percentiles
Percentile
Annual wage
10th
$27,040
25th
$30,120
50th (median)
$35,790
75th
$48,830
90th
$71,190
Projected employment growth, United States, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, 2024-2034Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists employment projection 2024 to 2034
Year
Employment
2024
575,200
2034 projected
607,400
Percent change
+5.6%
Popular Online Programs in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cosmetologist training take in North Carolina?
Cosmetologist certificate programs in North Carolina typically take 6 to 12 months of full-time study, while associate degree programs generally run about 2 years. Actual completion time depends on schedule (full-time vs. part-time) and any prerequisite coursework.
How much do cosmetologists earn in North Carolina?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), cosmetologists in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,410. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range was approximately $26,880 to $61,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many cosmetologist schools are in North Carolina?
The schools listed above are within about 800 miles of Programs. Compare them by tuition, program length, and the credential each one awards.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
