How Much Do Cosmetologists Make? Salary by State (2026)
Cosmetologists provide hair, skin, and nail services — and the earning potential in this field depends heavily on where you work, your specialization, and your business model. Whether you’re in cosmetology school or already behind the chair, this guide uses Bureau of Labor Statistics data to show what cosmetologists actually earn, compares salaries across all 50 states, and evaluates those earnings against the real cost of getting licensed.
Important: Salary data below comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Our database tracks licensing data. For the most current salary figures, visit bls.gov directly.
National Salary Overview
The national median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is $35,250. The middle 50% earn between $46,980 and $73,080. However, BLS data often understates cosmetologist earnings because it may not fully capture tips, which can represent a significant portion of total income.
National Median
$35,250
25th Percentile
$46,980
75th Percentile
$73,080
Cosmetologist Salary by State
Cosmetologist pay varies significantly by state. Areas with higher costs of living, wealthier clientele, and strong salon cultures tend to support higher wages. The table below shows every state with available BLS data, sorted from highest to lowest median pay.
| State | Median Salary | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WA | $58,920 | $46,980 | $73,080 | 7,410 |
| HI | $52,000 | $29,120 | $62,060 | 1,000 |
| VT | $49,640 | $44,280 | $59,800 | 520 |
| SD | $49,050 | $38,630 | $58,870 | 530 |
| ME | $48,480 | $36,270 | $61,420 | 820 |
| DC | $48,060 | $38,650 | $61,430 | 1,010 |
| MA | $47,740 | $35,470 | $61,800 | 9,210 |
| AK | $44,700 | $29,450 | $54,410 | 240 |
| NJ | $44,110 | $33,880 | $59,900 | 15,140 |
| CO | $43,680 | $34,850 | $60,330 | 6,520 |
| MN | $42,850 | $33,670 | $57,490 | 5,230 |
| NH | $42,000 | $30,120 | $47,580 | 1,550 |
| CA | $39,370 | $35,540 | $47,150 | 21,510 |
| NE | $39,190 | $29,040 | $47,280 | 1,950 |
| MT | $38,230 | $24,960 | $57,100 | 600 |
| IA | $37,850 | $28,080 | $49,590 | 2,870 |
| VA | $37,850 | $28,090 | $56,410 | 9,480 |
| CT | $37,070 | $32,640 | $47,930 | 3,920 |
| WI | $36,550 | $29,190 | $45,890 | 6,460 |
| MD | $36,440 | $31,210 | $48,840 | 5,900 |
| NC | $36,140 | $28,120 | $47,830 | 8,720 |
| OR | $35,760 | $33,610 | $55,960 | 1,900 |
| MI | $35,720 | $28,130 | $47,430 | 9,010 |
| AZ | $35,220 | $30,460 | $45,280 | 7,760 |
| UT | $34,960 | $27,700 | $51,210 | 3,620 |
| IL | $34,800 | $29,770 | $49,230 | 13,770 |
| KS | $34,740 | $24,840 | $46,290 | 2,340 |
| NY | $33,960 | $33,050 | $51,830 | 20,300 |
| ND | $33,870 | $29,140 | $51,140 | 930 |
| ID | $33,820 | $25,680 | $35,960 | 1,860 |
| WY | $32,400 | $28,780 | $50,700 | 320 |
| KY | $32,170 | $23,230 | $59,280 | 2,030 |
| IN | $31,480 | $28,350 | $43,590 | 6,240 |
| WV | $31,150 | $27,390 | $46,330 | 1,040 |
| DE | $30,980 | $28,630 | $48,000 | 1,340 |
| GA | $30,790 | $26,010 | $60,910 | 6,850 |
| OK | $30,680 | $22,790 | $44,890 | 1,830 |
| RI | $30,510 | $29,210 | $41,540 | 1,440 |
| MO | $30,390 | $28,570 | $43,580 | 5,470 |
| FL | $29,760 | $27,030 | $46,450 | 23,220 |
| NV | $29,690 | $27,400 | $40,540 | 1,830 |
| PA | $29,680 | $22,910 | $45,580 | 18,630 |
| AL | $29,660 | $22,760 | $35,580 | 3,170 |
| OH | $29,440 | $27,160 | $42,640 | 12,730 |
| TN | $29,170 | $26,980 | $46,040 | 5,240 |
| SC | $29,120 | $22,590 | $45,060 | 3,290 |
| TX | $28,370 | $23,910 | $35,780 | 22,470 |
| MS | $28,360 | $22,000 | $50,690 | 910 |
| NM | $28,150 | $26,850 | $44,810 | 1,380 |
| AR | $26,450 | $23,360 | $30,280 | 1,610 |
| LA | $23,470 | $21,190 | $29,590 | 2,390 |
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Cosmetologists
These states offer the highest median annual wages for cosmetologists:
Remember that these figures may not fully account for tips and cash-based income. Cosmetologists in high-end salons in major metro areas can earn substantially more than the BLS medians suggest.
Licensing Cost vs. Earning Potential
Based on our verified licensing database, the average total initial cost to get a cosmetology license is approximately $0 across the 0 states we track. This covers application fees, examination fees, and state-specific requirements.
The larger investment is cosmetology school itself, which typically requires 1,000-2,100 hours of training depending on the state. Tuition varies widely, from a few thousand dollars at community colleges to $20,000+ at private cosmetology schools. However, the ability to start earning immediately after licensing — with no college degree required — makes cosmetology an accessible career path with a clear route to income.
See our cosmetology license cost breakdown for exact fees in every state.
Factors That Affect Cosmetologist Pay
Business Model
How you structure your work has the biggest impact on earning potential. Commission-based salon employees earn a percentage of service revenue. Booth renters pay a flat fee to use salon space and keep the rest. Suite renters operate essentially as independent businesses. Each model has different income potential and overhead costs.
Specialization
Cosmetologists who develop expertise in high-value services — such as color correction, extensions, balayage, keratin treatments, or bridal styling — can charge premium prices and attract clients willing to pay more. Specialized skills significantly increase per-service revenue.
Location and Clientele
As the state data shows, geography matters. Within any state, urban areas with affluent clientele support higher service prices and better tips. High-end salons in major cities can charge several times what a budget salon in a rural area charges for the same service.
Client Retention and Referrals
The most successful cosmetologists build a loyal client base that provides consistent, predictable income. Strong client relationships lead to referrals, which reduce the need to spend money on marketing. A fully booked cosmetologist with loyal clients earns significantly more than one who struggles to fill their schedule.
Tips
Tips can represent 15-25% of total income for cosmetologists, which is why BLS salary data may understate true earnings. Building rapport with clients and providing excellent service directly impacts tip income.
Experience
Newly licensed cosmetologists typically start at the lower end of the pay scale and build their income as they develop skills, speed, and a client base. Most cosmetologists see significant income growth in their first 3-5 years as they establish themselves.
Start Your Cosmetology Career
Related guides: Cosmetologist Requirements by State · Cosmetologist vs. Esthetician · License With a Record
Salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Licensing cost data is from our verified state-by-state database. Factors affecting pay are general guidance. For the most current figures, visit bls.gov.
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