Tennessee Median
$31,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $35,790
State Rank
#38 of 50
6,080 employed here
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in Tennessee?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Tennessee take home a median of $31,310 annually — roughly $15.05 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $35,790.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $25,700 while the top 10% make $58,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,820 and $39,990 a year.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,700 | $12.36 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,820 | $13.86 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $31,310 | $15.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $39,990 | $19.23 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,000 | $27.88 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 38th 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 $32,150Rhode 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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($31,310) 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 Tennessee?
The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in Tennessee is $31,310 per year, or about $15.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $25,700 at the entry level to $58,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists about 13% less than the national median of $35,790. Tennessee ranks 38th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $31,310 a year. About 6,080 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.