How Much Does a Cosmetologist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$35,790
Cosmetologists in the U.S. earn a median of $35,790 a year, or $17.21 an hour. Half of cosmetologists earn more than $35,790 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $71,190.
Pay percentiles for cosmetologists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $13.00 | $27,040 |
| 25th | $14.48 | $30,120 |
| 50th (median) | $17.21 | $35,790 |
| 75th | $23.48 | $48,830 |
| 90th | $34.23 | $71,190 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for cosmetologists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,510 | $28.61 | +66% |
| Oregon | $57,580 | $27.68 | +61% |
| District of Columbia | $54,570 | $26.23 | +52% |
| South Dakota | $49,800 | $23.94 | +39% |
| Vermont | $48,650 | $23.39 | +36% |
| Connecticut | $44,620 | $21.45 | +25% |
| Maine | $44,000 | $21.16 | +23% |
| Minnesota | $39,170 | $18.83 | +9% |
| California | $38,660 | $18.59 | +8% |
| North Carolina | $38,410 | $18.47 | +7% |
| United States | $35,790 | $17.21 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many cosmetologists are there?
BLS counts about 305,710 cosmetologists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists”. The most jobs are in California (27,080), Florida (23,530) and Texas (22,440).
The mean (average) annual wage is $43,960, higher than the median of $35,790.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $2,983
- Biweekly
- $1,377
- Weekly
- $688
- Daily (8 hours)
- $138
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cosmetologists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for cosmetologists is $17.21. The middle 50% earn between $14.48 and $23.48 an hour.
Which state pays cosmetologists the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for cosmetologists at $59,510, +66% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for cosmetologists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of cosmetologists earn less than $27,040 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.