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Compare cosmetologist licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$36,169
across 51 states
Avg. Time to License
1.1 years
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$198
across 51 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,660#43 | 1.1 yr#11 | $285#43 | 1 mo#1 |
| Alaska | $44,700#8 | 1.2 yr#43 | $450#51 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arizona | $35,220#24 | 1.1 yr#11 | $240#36 | 1 mo#1 |
| Arkansas | $26,450#50 | 1.1 yr#11 | $175#23 | 1 mo#1 |
| California | $39,370#13 | 9 mo#1 | $125#12 | 1 mo#1 |
| Colorado | $43,680#10 | 1.3 yr#44 | $159#19 | 1 mo#1 |
| Connecticut | $37,070#18 | 1.1 yr#11 | $165#21 | 1 mo#1 |
| Delaware | $30,980#35 | 1.1 yr#11 | $353#49 | 1 mo#1 |
| District of Columbia | $48,060#6 | 1.1 yr#11 | $230#33 | 1 mo#1 |
| Florida | $29,760#40 | 11 mo#8 | $95.25#5 | 1 mo#1 |
| Georgia | $30,790#36 | 1.1 yr#11 | $139#15 | 1 mo#1 |
| Hawaii | $52,000#2 | 1.3 yr#44 | $292#45 | 1 mo#1 |
| Idaho | $33,820#30 | 1.4 yr#49 | $308#46 | 1 mo#1 |
| Illinois | $34,800#26 | 1.1 yr#11 | $137#13 | 1 mo#1 |
| Indiana | $31,480#33 | 1.1 yr#11 | $139#15 | 1 mo#1 |
| Iowa | $37,850#16 | 1.5 yr#51 | $225#32 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kansas | $34,740#27 | 1.1 yr#11 | $195#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| Kentucky | $32,170#32 | 1.1 yr#11 | $100#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| Louisiana | $23,470#51 | 1.1 yr#11 | $158#18 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maine | $48,480#5 | 1.1 yr#11 | $214#31 | 1 mo#1 |
| Maryland | $36,440#20 | 1.1 yr#11 | $104#9 | 1 mo#1 |
| Massachusetts | $47,740#7 | 9 mo#1 | $291#44 | 1 mo#1 |
| Michigan | $35,720#23 | 1.1 yr#11 | $245#37 | 1 mo#1 |
| Minnesota | $42,850#11 | 1.1 yr#36 | $190#25 | 1 mo#1 |
| Mississippi | $28,360#48 | 1.1 yr#11 | $245#37 | 1 mo#1 |
| Missouri | $30,390#39 | 1.1 yr#11 | $201#29 | 1 mo#1 |
| Montana | $38,230#15 | 1.4 yr#49 | $230#33 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nebraska | $39,190#14 | 1.3 yr#44 | $30#1 | 1 mo#1 |
| Nevada | $29,690#41 | 1.2 yr#38 | $195#26 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Hampshire | $42,000#12 | 1.1 yr#11 | $247#39 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Jersey | $44,110#9 | 11 mo#8 | $232#35 | 1 mo#1 |
| New Mexico | $28,150#49 | 1.2 yr#38 | $250#40 | 1 mo#1 |
| New York | $33,960#28 | 9 mo#1 | $70#3 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Carolina | $36,140#21 | 1.1 yr#11 | $138#14 | 1 mo#1 |
| North Dakota | $33,870#29 | 1.3 yr#44 | $170#22 | 1 mo#1 |
| Ohio | $29,440#44 | 1.1 yr#11 | $90#4 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oklahoma | $30,680#37 | 9 mo#1 | $115#10 | 1 mo#1 |
| Oregon | $35,760#22 | 10 mo#7 | $155#17 | 1 mo#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,680#42 | 11 mo#10 | $212#30 | 1 mo#1 |
| Rhode Island | $30,510#38 | 1.1 yr#11 | $100#6 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Carolina | $29,120#46 | 1.1 yr#11 | $162#20 | 1 mo#1 |
| South Dakota | $49,050#4 | 1.1 yr#11 | $120#11 | 1 mo#1 |
| Tennessee | $29,170#45 | 1.1 yr#11 | $200#28 | 1 mo#1 |
| Texas | $28,370#47 | 9 mo#1 | $181#24 | 1 mo#1 |
| Utah | $34,960#25 | 1.2 yr#38 | $254#41 | 1 mo#1 |
| Vermont | $49,640#3 | 1.1 yr#11 | $275#42 | 1 mo#1 |
| Virginia | $37,850#16 | 9 mo#1 | $314#47 | 1 mo#1 |
| Washington | $58,920#1 | 1.2 yr#38 | $329#48 | 1 mo#1 |
| West Virginia | $31,150#34 | 1.3 yr#44 | $50#2 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wisconsin | $36,550#19 | 1.1 yr#36 | $418#50 | 1 mo#1 |
| Wyoming | $32,400#31 | 1.2 yr#38 | $101#8 | 1 mo#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.