California Median
$38,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $35,790
State Rank
#9 of 50
27,080 employed here
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in California?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists working in California earn a median salary of $38,660 per year, or about $18.59 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $35,790 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,360 while the top 10% make $68,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,600 and $49,030 a year.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,360 | $17.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,660 | $18.59 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,030 | $23.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,640 | $33.00 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in other states
Washington $59,510Oregon $57,580District of Columbia $54,570South Dakota $49,800Vermont $48,650Connecticut $44,620Maine $44,000Minnesota $39,170North Carolina $38,410Montana $38,000New Mexico $37,750Colorado $37,690Massachusetts $37,290Arizona $36,810Pennsylvania $36,790Maryland $36,420Ohio $36,260Wisconsin $36,230New Jersey $36,150New York $35,760Iowa $35,700Idaho $35,480Utah $35,140Hawaii $35,040North Dakota $34,850Michigan $34,820New Hampshire $34,650Georgia $34,560West Virginia $34,480Delaware $34,350Nebraska $34,320Illinois $34,040Nevada $33,840South Carolina $33,700Indiana $32,830Alaska $32,150Tennessee $31,310Rhode Island $31,200Missouri $30,750Texas $30,680Kentucky $29,840Kansas $29,710Oklahoma $29,650Florida $29,530Wyoming $29,170Alabama $29,150Arkansas $28,830Mississippi $27,560Louisiana $26,030
Working as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in California
Nationally, about 306,000 people work as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($38,660) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in California?
The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in California is $38,660 per year, or about $18.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,360 at the entry level to $68,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists about 8% more than the national median of $35,790. California ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,660 a year. About 27,080 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.