West Virginia Median
$34,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $35,790
State Rank
#30 of 50
1,020 employed here
How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make in West Virginia?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in West Virginia take home a median of $34,480 annually — roughly $16.58 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $35,790.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $23,580 while the top 10% make $60,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,710 and $46,340 a year.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,580 | $11.34 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $28,710 | $13.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,480 | $16.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,340 | $22.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,300 | $28.99 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 30th 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 $34,560Delaware $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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($34,480) 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 West Virginia?
The median Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in West Virginia is $34,480 per year, or about $16.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,580 at the entry level to $60,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists about 4% less than the national median of $35,790. West Virginia ranks 30th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,480 a year. About 1,020 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.