Kentucky Median
$29,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $35,790
State Rank
#42 of 50
2,350 employed here
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in Kentucky?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Kentucky take home a median of $29,840 annually — roughly $14.35 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $35,790.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $22,580 while the top 10% make $76,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,730 and $42,220 a year.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,580 | $10.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $26,730 | $12.85 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,840 | $14.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,220 | $20.30 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,170 | $36.62 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 42nd 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 $39,170California $38,660North 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 $30,680Kansas $29,710Oklahoma $29,650Florida $29,530Wyoming $29,170Alabama $29,150Arkansas $28,830Mississippi $27,560Louisiana $26,030
Working as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($29,840) 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 Kentucky?
The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in Kentucky is $29,840 per year, or about $14.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,580 at the entry level to $76,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists about 17% less than the national median of $35,790. Kentucky ranks 42nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,840 a year. About 2,350 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.