How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make?
The median pay for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in the United States is $35,790 per year — about $17.21 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $27,040, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $71,190.
That is $25,600 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary range by percentile
Half of all Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn between $30,120 and $48,830 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,120 | $14.48 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,790 | $17.21 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,830 | $23.48 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,190 | $34.23 |
Highest-paying states for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay at $59,510 a year, followed by Oregon ($57,580) and District of Columbia ($54,570). At the other end, Louisiana posts the lowest median at $26,030 — a gap of $33,480 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $59,510 | $28.61 | +66% |
| 2 | Oregon | $57,580 | $27.68 | +61% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $54,570 | $26.24 | +52% |
| 4 | South Dakota | $49,800 | $23.94 | +39% |
| 5 | Vermont | $48,650 | $23.39 | +36% |
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 306,000 people work as Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $43,960 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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