How to Become A Cosmetologist in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 8,490 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,410 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 75,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a cosmetologist in North Carolina, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in North Carolina
How do I become a cosmetologist in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Cosmetology, Apprentice (Cosmetology), Cosmetology Teacher. The licensing authority is the NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in North Carolina is $38,410 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $26,880 and experienced professionals can earn $61,530 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
- Median wage (North Carolina): $38,410 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners oversees cosmetologist licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology | Operator in the field of cosmetology. Cosmetology is to train as required by the State Board in the theory and practical experiences in hair design, cutting, coloring, thermal services, chemical textu… |
| Apprentice (Cosmetology) | Apprentice in the field of cosmetology. Cosmetology is to train as required by the State Board in the theory and practical experiences in hair design, cutting, coloring, thermal services, chemical tex… |
| Cosmetology Teacher | Instructor to teach cosmetic art |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 2,940 | $38,530 | $43,290 | $28,160 | $61,530 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 2,060 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Raleigh-Cary | 1,810 | $43,700 | $46,310 | $27,300 | $70,550 |
| Winston-Salem | 550 | $38,980 | $40,230 | $23,990 | $57,370 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 530 | $48,060 | $55,430 | $28,610 | $77,880 |
| Wilmington | 500 | $37,230 | $42,040 | $24,320 | $60,450 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 470 | $37,620 | $42,650 | $24,380 | $60,600 |
| Asheville | 330 | $40,620 | $44,160 | $27,420 | $60,190 |
| Fayetteville | 160 | $38,290 | $41,630 | $23,490 | $60,970 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 160 | $35,100 | $39,900 | $27,120 | $59,180 |
| Burlington | 90 | $34,700 | $39,180 | $24,340 | $59,240 |
| Jacksonville | 90 | $39,990 | $44,500 | $23,580 | $49,960 |
| Greenville | 80 | $34,980 | $37,980 | $23,290 | $59,420 |
| Rocky Mount | 60 | $27,330 | $31,460 | $21,430 | $44,110 |
| Goldsboro | 50 | $30,740 | $35,470 | $24,130 | $45,780 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Cosmetologists in North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 2,940 | $38,530 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 1,810 | $43,700 |
| Winston-Salem | 550 | $38,980 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 530 | $48,060 |
| Wilmington | 500 | $37,230 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 8,490 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do cosmetologists earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in North Carolina is $38,410, which is $3,160 above the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.nccosmeticarts.com/licensees.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |