Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Mean (average) | $43,960 | $21.13 |
| 90th percentile | $71,190 | $34.23 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 53 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,150 | $21,300 | $56,700 | 3,300 | 0.79 |
| Alaska | $32,150 | $30,900 | $55,850 | 330 | 0.52 |
| Arizona | $36,810 | $31,050 | $57,790 | 7,840 | 1.23 |
| Arkansas | $28,830 | $23,920 | $49,990 | 1,410 | 0.55 |
| California | $38,660 | $35,360 | $68,640 | 27,080 | 0.76 |
| Colorado | $37,690 | $31,520 | $98,860 | 6,820 | 1.21 |
| Connecticut | $44,620 | $34,010 | $72,620 | 4,090 | 1.23 |
| Delaware | $34,350 | $31,200 | $75,950 | 1,270 | 1.33 |
| District of Columbia | $54,570 | $36,400 | $130,950 | 870 | 0.63 |
| Florida | $29,530 | $27,450 | $58,320 | 23,530 | 1.21 |
| Georgia | $34,560 | $17,310 | $79,170 | 7,910 | 0.82 |
| Guam | $29,500 | $20,280 | $36,500 | 170 | 1.29 |
| Hawaii | $35,040 | $29,120 | $73,820 | 930 | 0.76 |
| Idaho | $35,480 | $22,810 | $48,000 | 2,250 | 1.34 |
| Illinois | $34,040 | $31,200 | $58,960 | 13,190 | 1.1 |
| Indiana | $32,830 | $23,890 | $58,620 | 5,920 | 0.94 |
| Iowa | $35,700 | $26,650 | $56,250 | 2,930 | 0.96 |
| Kansas | $29,710 | $21,910 | $77,790 | 2,190 | 0.77 |
| Kentucky | $29,840 | $22,580 | $76,170 | 2,350 | 0.6 |
| Louisiana | $26,030 | $21,590 | $33,900 | 2,720 | 0.71 |
| Maine | $44,000 | $30,640 | $63,640 | 970 | 0.77 |
| Maryland | $36,420 | $31,830 | $72,940 | 5,860 | 1.08 |
| Massachusetts | $37,290 | $31,600 | $79,330 | 9,600 | 1.34 |
| Michigan | $34,820 | $25,960 | $95,370 | 8,970 | 1.04 |
| Minnesota | $39,170 | $23,590 | $78,880 | 5,320 | 0.92 |
| Mississippi | $27,560 | $17,370 | $58,790 | 1,040 | 0.45 |
| Missouri | $30,750 | $28,600 | $58,530 | 5,430 | 0.94 |
| Montana | $38,000 | $22,160 | $75,440 | 690 | 0.68 |
| Nebraska | $34,320 | $28,080 | $73,740 | 1,890 | 0.94 |
| Nevada | $33,840 | $26,160 | $64,300 | 1,940 | 0.64 |
| New Hampshire | $34,650 | $25,720 | $58,210 | 1,950 | 1.45 |
| New Jersey | $36,150 | $32,220 | $92,090 | 15,500 | 1.84 |
| New Mexico | $37,750 | $27,190 | $52,560 | 1,230 | 0.72 |
| New York | $35,760 | $33,960 | $88,540 | 20,740 | 1.09 |
| North Carolina | $38,410 | $26,880 | $61,530 | 8,490 | 0.87 |
| North Dakota | $34,850 | $24,130 | $77,800 | 870 | 1.03 |
| Ohio | $36,260 | $23,520 | $77,330 | 12,890 | 1.18 |
| Oklahoma | $29,650 | $18,980 | $60,390 | 1,920 | 0.57 |
| Oregon | $57,580 | $34,880 | $76,810 | 1,860 | 0.48 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,790 | $23,700 | $68,750 | 19,350 | 1.62 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,090 | $21,840 | $32,720 | 960 | 0.52 |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 | $31,200 | $38,630 | 1,470 | 1.49 |
| South Carolina | $33,700 | $21,340 | $77,430 | 3,570 | 0.79 |
| South Dakota | $49,800 | $32,090 | $61,900 | 690 | 0.77 |
| Tennessee | $31,310 | $25,700 | $58,000 | 6,080 | 0.94 |
| Texas | $30,680 | $23,580 | $59,730 | 22,440 | 0.81 |
| Utah | $35,140 | $21,810 | $75,860 | 2,810 | 0.82 |
| Vermont | $48,650 | $30,960 | $80,530 | 440 | 0.73 |
| Virginia | Data unavailable | 10,200 | 1.26 | ||
| Washington | $59,510 | $36,830 | $99,970 | 6,930 | 0.99 |
| West Virginia | $34,480 | $23,580 | $60,300 | 1,020 | 0.74 |
| Wisconsin | $36,230 | $23,790 | $58,970 | 6,260 | 1.08 |
| Wyoming | $29,170 | $18,150 | $56,640 | 360 | 0.65 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 73,400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 48.1%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General CIP 12.0401
- Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis Technician CIP 12.0404
- Make-Up Artist/Specialist CIP 12.0406
- Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design CIP 12.0407
- Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing CIP 12.0411
- Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager CIP 12.0412
- Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor CIP 12.0413
- Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other CIP 12.0499
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Schedule client appointments.
- Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
- Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
- Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
- Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
- Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
Technology skills
- Apple iOS (hot technology)
- Facebook (hot technology)
- Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Appointment scheduling software
- Customer information databases
- Sale processing software
- YouTube
Transferable skills for career changers: Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Coordination.
Common job titles: Beautician, Beauty Specialist, Cosmetologist, Hair Artist, Hair Dresser, Hair Stylist, Hairdresser, Hairstylist, Lash Technician (Lash Tech), Stylist.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make?
The national median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was $35,790 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $27,040 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $71,190. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists need?
BLS lists postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists a growing career?
BLS projects employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists to change +7.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 73,400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Washington ($59,510), Oregon ($57,580), District of Columbia ($54,570). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.