Cosmetologist salary

Cosmetologists in the U.S. earn a median $35,790 a year.

Median pay
$35,790
Median hourly
$17.21
Typical range
$27,040–$71,190
Jobs
305,710

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for cosmetologists in the U.S.
PercentileAnnual pay
10th (entry level)$27,040
25th$30,120
Median$35,790
75th$48,830
90th (top earners)$71,190

Pay in the biggest metro areas

Median pay by metro area
Metro areaMedian payJobs
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$36,12027,660
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN$34,26012,000
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$43,50010,910
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD$37,3209,960
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$37,4307,870
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$37,0207,010
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX$33,9606,630
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ$36,8106,440
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA$34,6405,760
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX$31,0805,480

Cosmetologist salary by state

  1. 1Washington$59,510
  2. 2Oregon$57,580
  3. –District of Columbia$54,570
  4. 3South Dakota$49,800
  5. 4Vermont$48,650
  6. 5Connecticut$44,620
  7. 6Maine$44,000
  8. 7Minnesota$39,170
  9. 8California$38,660
  10. 9North Carolina$38,410
  11. 10Montana$38,000
  12. 11New Mexico$37,750
  13. 12Colorado$37,690
  14. 13Massachusetts$37,290
  15. 14Arizona$36,810
  16. 15Pennsylvania$36,790
  17. 16Maryland$36,420
  18. 17Ohio$36,260
  19. 18Wisconsin$36,230
  20. 19New Jersey$36,150
  21. 20New York$35,760
  22. 21Iowa$35,700
  23. 22Idaho$35,480
  24. 23Utah$35,140
  25. 24Hawaii$35,040
  26. 25North Dakota$34,850
  27. 26Michigan$34,820
  28. 27New Hampshire$34,650
  29. 28Georgia$34,560
  30. 29West Virginia$34,480
  31. 30Delaware$34,350
  32. 31Nebraska$34,320
  33. 32Illinois$34,040
  34. 33Nevada$33,840
  35. 34South Carolina$33,700
  36. 35Indiana$32,830
  37. 36Alaska$32,150
  38. 37Tennessee$31,310
  39. 38Rhode Island$31,200
  40. 39Missouri$30,750
  41. 40Texas$30,680
  42. 41Kentucky$29,840
  43. 42Kansas$29,710
  44. 43Oklahoma$29,650
  45. 44Florida$29,530
  46. 45Wyoming$29,170
  47. 46Alabama$29,150
  48. 47Arkansas$28,830
  49. 48Mississippi$27,560
  50. 49Louisiana$26,030
  51. –Puerto Rico$22,090

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools.

Cosmetology schoolsHow to become a cosmetologist

Frequently asked questions

How much do cosmetologists make?

The median pay for cosmetologists in the U.S. is $35,790 a year ($17.21 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,040, and the top 10% earn over $71,190.

Which states pay cosmetologists the most?

The top-paying states are Washington ($59,510), Oregon ($57,580), South Dakota ($49,800), Vermont ($48,650), Connecticut ($44,620).

How can a cosmetologist earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a cosmetologist covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, SOC 39-5012). Figures exclude self-employed workers.