How much do cosmetologists make?

Cosmetologist salary 2026 · BLS occupation: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012) · Updated October 28, 2026

Answer

Cosmetologists in the US earned a median of $35,790 a year ($17.21 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned $30,120 to $48,830.

Median annual pay: $35,790; Mean $43,960
Median hourly pay: $17.21; Mean $21.13
Typical range (10th–90th): $27.0K–$71.2K; $27,040 to $71,190
US jobs: 305,710; +7.7% projected, 2025–35

BLS OEWS, May 2025, released April 30, 2026. Wages include tips, commissions and production bonuses but not overtime premiums, shift differentials, other bonuses or benefits; self-employed workers are not included. Methodology

How to become a cosmetologist: steps, years and cost · Best-paying state after cost of living: South Dakota

Cosmetologist pay range

Annual wages, May 2025

10th percentile$27,040
25th percentile$30,120
Median$35,790
75th percentile$48,830
90th percentile$71,190

Half of all cosmetologists earned more than $35,790 and half earned less. The lowest-paid 10% made under $27,040; the top 10% made over $71,190. The middle 50%, from the 25th to the 75th percentile, ran from $30,120 to $48,830.

These percentiles describe everyone in the occupation at one time. They are not pay steps by years of experience: they mix new and senior workers, different states, employers and hours. Pay generally rises with experience, credentials and specialization, but BLS does not publish pay by experience.

Percentile	Annual	Hourly	Monthly
10th	$27,040	$13.00	$2,253
25th	$30,120	$14.48	$2,510
Median (50th)	$35,790	$17.21	$2,983
75th	$48,830	$23.48	$4,069
90th	$71,190	$34.23	$5,933
Mean (average)	$43,960	$21.13	$3,663

Cosmetologist salary by state

Median annual pay; cost of living from BEA regional price parities 2024

Median annual pay for cosmetologists by state. Darker tiles pay more. A dash means BLS did not publish a figure.

Highest-paying states

1. Washington $59,510
2. Oregon $57,580
3. District of Columbia $54,570
4. South Dakota $49,800
5. Vermont $48,650

Lowest-paying states

50. Louisiana $26,030
49. Mississippi $27,560
48. Arkansas $28,830
47. Alabama $29,150
46. Wyoming $29,170

Best after cost of living: South Dakota. Its median of $49,800 is worth about $56,217 at national-average prices, more than in Washington once prices are counted.


Alabama	$29,150	47	$32,818	42	$14.02	3,300	1.56
Alaska	$32,150	37	$31,409	47	$15.46	330	1.02
Arizona	$36,810	15	$36,562	21	$17.70	7,840	2.42
Arkansas	$28,830	48	$33,162	38	$13.86	1,410	1.08
California	$38,660	9	$34,917	28	$18.59	27,080	1.49
Colorado	$37,690	13	$36,574	20	$18.12	6,820	2.37
Connecticut	$44,620	6	$43,065	7	$21.45	4,090	2.41
Delaware	$34,350	31	$34,416	30	$16.51	1,270	2.62
District of Columbia	$54,570	3	$49,654	5	$26.23	870	1.24
Florida	$29,530	45	$28,555	50	$14.20	23,530	2.37
Georgia	$34,560	29	$35,890	24	$16.62	7,910	1.62
Hawaii	$35,040	25	$31,869	43	$16.85	930	1.49
Idaho	$35,480	23	$37,154	19	$17.06	2,250	2.63
Illinois	$34,040	33	$34,054	32	$16.37	13,190	2.16
Indiana	$32,830	36	$35,177	27	$15.78	5,920	1.85
Iowa	$35,700	22	$40,678	10	$17.17	2,930	1.88
Kansas	$29,710	43	$32,986	41	$14.28	2,190	1.52
Kentucky	$29,840	42	$33,097	40	$14.35	2,350	1.18
Louisiana	$26,030	50	$29,510	49	$12.51	2,720	1.41
Maine	$44,000	7	$45,337	6	$21.16	970	1.52
Maryland	$36,420	17	$34,699	29	$17.51	5,860	2.12
Massachusetts	$37,290	14	$35,260	26	$17.93	9,600	2.64
Michigan	$34,820	27	$36,189	22	$16.74	8,970	2.04
Minnesota	$39,170	8	$39,718	12	$18.83	5,320	1.80
Mississippi	$27,560	49	$31,695	44	$13.25	1,040	0.89
Missouri	$30,750	40	$33,859	33	$14.78	5,430	1.85
Montana	$38,000	11	$40,150	11	$18.27	690	1.35
Nebraska	$34,320	32	$38,090	17	$16.50	1,890	1.85
Nevada	$33,840	34	$33,847	34	$16.27	1,940	1.25
New Hampshire	$34,650	28	$33,265	36	$16.66	1,950	2.86
New Jersey	$36,150	20	$33,225	37	$17.38	15,500	3.62
New Mexico	$37,750	12	$40,938	8	$18.15	1,230	1.41
New York	$35,760	21	$33,135	39	$17.19	20,740	2.14
North Carolina	$38,410	10	$40,720	9	$18.47	8,490	1.72
North Dakota	$34,850	26	$39,175	13	$16.76	870	2.02
Ohio	$36,260	18	$39,084	14	$17.43	12,890	2.32
Oklahoma	$29,650	44	$33,753	35	$14.26	1,920	1.12
Oregon	$57,580	2	$55,708	2	$27.68	1,860	0.95
Pennsylvania	$36,790	16	$37,705	18	$17.69	19,350	3.19
Rhode Island	$31,200	39	$30,504	48	$15.00	1,470	2.93
South Carolina	$33,700	35	$35,947	23	$16.20	3,570	1.55
South Dakota	$49,800	4	$56,217	1	$23.94	690	1.50
Tennessee	$31,310	38	$34,081	31	$15.05	6,080	1.85
Texas	$30,680	41	$31,610	45	$14.75	22,440	1.59
Utah	$35,140	24	$35,544	25	$16.89	2,810	1.62
Vermont	$48,650	5	$49,664	4	$23.39	440	1.45
Virginia	—	—	—	—	—	10,200	2.48
Washington	$59,510	1	$55,610	3	$28.61	6,930	1.95
West Virginia	$34,480	30	$38,526	15	$16.58	1,020	1.45
Wisconsin	$36,230	19	$38,504	16	$17.42	6,260	2.13
Wyoming	$29,170	46	$31,470	46	$14.03	360	1.28

BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates. Adjusted pay = median ÷ (state price level ÷ 100), using BEA regional price parities for 2024; it ignores taxes. Figures for states with few workers in the occupation have larger survey errors and can change sharply from one year to the next. “—” means BLS did not publish the figure (Virginia). State names link to each state’s highest-paying jobs.

Best-paying metro areas for cosmetologists

346 metro areas with published pay

Highest median pay
Metro area	Median	Adjusted	Jobs
Corvallis, OR	$61,880	$59,490	120
Bellingham, WA	$61,820	$59,825	160
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$61,440	$61,228	570
Kahului-Wailuku, HI	$60,710	$55,497	80
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$59,810	$53,818	4,510
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$59,610	$56,545	1,500
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$58,740	$58,188	220
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$58,150	$55,063	200
Bend, OR	$51,640	$49,842	80
Salem, OR	$50,960	$49,166	130

Most jobs
Metro area	Jobs	Median	Adjusted
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	27,660	$36,120	$32,089
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	12,000	$34,260	$33,071
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	10,910	$43,500	$38,304
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	9,960	$37,320	$36,391
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	7,870	$37,430	$34,572
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	7,010	$37,020	$33,999
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	6,630	$33,960	$32,942
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	6,440	$36,810	$35,629
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	5,760	$34,640	$34,620
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	5,480	$31,080	$31,512

BLS OEWS, May 2025, metropolitan statistical areas; adjusted with BEA metro price parities (2024).

What moves cosmetologist pay: employers and settings

Where a cosmetologist works and how they are paid matter more than almost anything else. Most work in personal care services, essentially salons and spas, where the median is $36,170. Health and personal care retailers pay a median of $31,120. Department stores and other general merchandise retailers are lower at $30,620. The small group in motion picture and video production earns far more, a median of $135,020. Those jobs are rare: about 1,560 of them.

These BLS figures include tips and commissions, but they exclude the self-employed, who are close to half of the occupation. Booth renters and salon owners keep more of each service fee but pay rent, supplies and their own taxes, so their income is not captured here.

State matters too. Washington has the highest median at $59,510, followed by Oregon at $57,580, the District of Columbia at $54,570, South Dakota at $49,800, and Vermont at $48,650. Louisiana is lowest at $26,030. Within the occupation, the 75th percentile is $48,830, and the 90th percentile is $71,190, The gap reflects differences in prices, hours, setting and clientele; the percentiles are not steps on a ladder of years worked.

Where cosmetologists work
Industry	Share of jobs	Median pay
Personal Care Services	86.8%	$36,170
General Merchandise Retailers	5.7%	$30,620
Health and Personal Care Retailers	4.4%	$31,120
Motion Picture and Video Industries	0.5%	$135,020
Employment Services	0.3%	$33,180
Traveler Accommodation	0.3%	$35,100

Private employers and government
Employer type	Jobs	Median pay
Private employers	305,420	$35,780
State government (incl. schools and hospitals)	160	$39,770
Local government (incl. schools and hospitals)	140	$43,600

BLS OEWS, May 2025, national industry-specific and ownership estimates (4-digit NAICS).

Cosmetologist pay over time

Median annual pay, 2015–2025

$35.8K $23.7K

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Nominal median (dollars of each year)In May 2025 dollars (adjusted with CPI-U)

The median rose from $23,660 in 2015 to $35,790 in 2025, up 51% in nominal dollars. After inflation, the 2015 median is worth $31,984 in May 2025 dollars, so real pay grew 12% over the period.

BLS OEWS, May 2025 and earlier May releases; inflation from the CPI-U, US city average, May of each year.

What cosmetologists do

A cosmetologist, often called a hairstylist or hairdresser, cuts, colors and styles hair, and in most states the license also covers basic skin, nail and makeup services. A typical day is a run of booked appointments: a consultation about what the client wants, then a cut, a color or highlight, a perm or relaxer, extensions or a blowout and style for an event. Between clients, stylists disinfect tools and stations, mix color, rebook appointments and sell shampoo and other products.

Most work in hair salons, from chain salons in shopping centers to high-end independent studios. Others work in spas, department stores, hotels and resorts, or on film, TV and theater sets. Close to half are self-employed: many rent a booth or suite in a salon and run their own small business, setting prices and finding their own clients. The job means standing most of the day, using chemicals, and working evenings and Saturdays when clients are free.

A typical day

Talk with each client about the look they want and assess hair type, condition and past color
Cut, layer and texture hair with shears, razors and clippers
Mix and apply color, highlights, bleach, perms and straightening treatments
Shampoo, condition, blow-dry and style hair, including updos for weddings and events
Clean and disinfect tools, chairs and stations between every client, following state rules
Book and confirm appointments, take payment and recommend take-home products
Build a client list through referrals, social media posts and rebooking

Also called: hairstylist, hair stylist, hairdresser, cosmetology, beautician, beauty specialist, hair artist, hair dresser.

How to become a cosmetologist

Full guide

To become a cosmetologist, you finish a state-approved cosmetology program (1,000 hours in states such as California and Texas, more in some others) and pass your state's licensing exam. Most people are licensed in under a year of full-time school.

Typical time: 9 to 15 months; Fastest: About 7 months
Minimum education: Certificate from a state-approved cosmetology school (or a state-approved apprenticeship where allowed)
License: Required in all 50 states and DC
Typical training cost: $3.7K–$7.9K; See the guide for what it includes

Read the step-by-step guide to becoming a cosmetologist: each step with its time and cost, education options, exams, licensing and advancement.

Is it worth it? Training cost against pay

Compare careers

Training time: 9 to 15 months; Typical path in our guide
Training cost: $3.7K–$7.9K; Tuition and exam fees, before aid
Median pay: $35,790; $15,190 below the all-jobs median ($50,980)
Cost vs. one year's pay: 10–22%; Training cost as a share of a year at the median

The median for cosmetologists is below the median for all US jobs, so the case for training rests on the work itself, entry speed and local pay rather than a pay premium. This is a rough guide: it ignores taxes, financial aid, interest, earnings given up while training and how pay changes over a career. How we calculate ROI.

Job outlook for cosmetologists

BLS Employment Projections 2025–35

Projected growth: +7.7%; All occupations +3.5%
Jobs in 2025: 595,000; 640,900 projected for 2035
Openings each year: 73,400; New jobs plus replacements
Self-employed: 48.1%; Not in the pay figures above

BLS projects jobs for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, from 595,000 to 640,900, much faster than the 3.5% for all occupations. That means about 73,400 openings a year, many from stylists who change careers or leave the workforce. Demand for color, straightening and other chemical services keeps growing. Some clients now go to specialists such as nail technicians and estheticians for services cosmetologists are also licensed to do.

Related careers and their pay

Barber$38,210
Esthetician$45,330
Nail Technician$35,760
Shampooers$32,600
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance$97,150

Related occupations from O*NET 31.0; median annual pay from BLS OEWS, May 2025.

Cosmetologist salary FAQ

How much do cosmetologists make an hour?

The median hourly wage for cosmetologists was $17.21 in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $13.00 an hour and the highest-paid 10% more than $34.23. Hourly figures are BLS estimates for all workers in the occupation, full-time and part-time.

Which state pays cosmetologists the most?

Washington has the highest median pay for cosmetologists, $59,510 a year, followed by Oregon ($57,580) and District of Columbia ($54,570). After adjusting for each state's price level, South Dakota comes out ahead at about $56,217 in national-average dollars.

Do cosmetologists make six figures?

Few do: based on the BLS percentiles, fewer than 10% of cosmetologists earn more than $100,000 a year. The median is $35,790, and the top 10% earn more than $71,190. Pay generally rises with experience, specialization and location.

What is the difference between a cosmetologist and a hairstylist?

In everyday use the words overlap, and BLS counts both in one occupation. Technically, a cosmetology license is the broader one: it usually covers hair plus basic skin care, makeup and nails. A few states offer narrower hair-only licenses. Barbers hold a separate license focused on cutting, shaving and beard work. See our barber page for that route.

Do hairstylists get paid hourly or by commission?

It depends on the salon. Some salons pay an hourly wage, some pay a percentage of each service, and some combine the two, often with a cut of product sales. Tips come on top. Booth renters and suite renters instead pay the salon owner rent and keep what they charge clients. For employees, the BLS pay figures on this page include tips and commissions.

Is being a cosmetologist hard on your body?

It can be. Stylists stand for most of the day, hold their arms up and repeat the same wrist motions for hours, which leads many to back, shoulder and hand problems. They also handle color, bleach and straightening chemicals, so gloves and good ventilation matter. Supportive shoes, good scheduling and stretching between clients help, and some stylists cut back to fewer days as they get older.

Sources

Data updated October 28, 2026 · Text checked against its sources October 28, 2026

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released April 30, 2026, SOC 39-5012
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035, released September 2026
O*NET 31.0 Database (39-5012.00), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0; tasks rewritten by Careers and Salaries
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state and metro area, 2024
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), US city average, May values
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study and institution data, most recent cohorts, released 2026-10-15
Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · checked October 28, 2026
License Requirements, California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology · checked October 28, 2026
Apply for a Cosmetology Operator License, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation · checked October 28, 2026
Information Regarding the Written and Practical Examinations, California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology · checked October 28, 2026
Cosmetology Continuing Education, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation · checked October 28, 2026
NIC Exam Types, NIC · checked October 28, 2026
License Finder, CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor · checked October 28, 2026

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