South Carolina Median
$33,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $35,790
State Rank
#35 of 50
3,570 employed here
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in South Carolina?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Carolina take home a median of $33,700 annually — roughly $16.20 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $35,790.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $21,340 while the top 10% make $77,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,410 and $56,770 a year.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,340 | $10.26 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,410 | $13.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $33,700 | $16.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $56,770 | $27.29 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,430 | $37.23 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 35th 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 $33,840Indiana $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 South Carolina
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 South Carolina pay ($33,700) 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 South Carolina?
The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in South Carolina is $33,700 per year, or about $16.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,340 at the entry level to $77,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists about 6% less than the national median of $35,790. South Carolina ranks 35th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $33,700 a year. About 3,570 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary report
Related salaries
$38,270
median pay · 1,000 employed
$38,210
median pay · 15,000 employed
$34,320
median pay · 84,000 employed
$48,590
median pay · 114,000 employed
$34,980
median pay · 9,000 employed
$35,360
median pay · 267,000 employed
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.