Cosmetologist Salary

If you're considering cosmetology school, chances are you want to know how much money you could make after graduation. There's some debate over how much beauty professionals earn, with industry experts reporting that the average pay may actually be much higher than most sources report.

That said, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that, when combined, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earned a median annual salary of $35,250 ($16.95 per hour) as of 2024. The lower-paid cosmetologists (in the 10^th percentile) earned less than $11.92 per hour, while higher-paid cosmetologists (in the 90^th percentile) made over $33.76 per hour.

Cosmetologist salary varies by state, city, and employer. The type of workplace can also impact pay. Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists most commonly work in personal care services (salons, spas, etc.), with a median pay of $18.10 per hour. Only 10% work in retail locations, like makeup shops, making a median of $14.15 per hour. The BLS doesn't study how much self-employed cosmetologists earn.

The cosmetology field is expected to grow, with the BLS estimating that the number of jobs will increase by 5% nationwide between 2024 and 2034.

Read on for detailed information about cosmetologist salary and job growth by state and some specific metro areas, pay structures, and tips on improving your pay.

Cosmetologist Average Pay by State: At a Glance

Cosmetologist salaries vary by state, county, and city based on factors like cost of living. The number of jobs becoming available in different states also depends on the location's demand for beauty services.

How Much Do Cosmetologists Make in Each State?

Data from CareerOneStop (2025)

Cosmetologist Salary Near You

Ready to learn more about cosmetology salaries, schooling, and job requirements near you? Click on your state below!

Best Cities for Cosmetologist Salaries

The definition of "best" is unique to each person, depending on their desired location, proximity to family, salary needs, and so forth. However, below, you can find the top-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists in the country.

Best Metropolitan Areas for Cosmetologist Salaries

Cosmetologists tend to earn more in cities with higher costs of living, though this isn't universally true. Bearing that in mind, check out the cities with the highest mean pay for cosmetologists as of 2023.

Data from the BLS (2025)

Best Nonmetropolitan Areas for Cosmetologist Salaries

Nonmetropolitan areas—those outside of major cities—also vary in pay. Bear in mind that cost of living and demand for beauty services can affect income when you look at this list of the highest paying nonmetropolitan areas for cosmetologists in 2023.

Data from the BLS (2025)

How Are Cosmetologists Paid?

Cosmetologists are paid differently based on whether they're employed by an outside company or self-employed.

If you work for an employer, there are four common ways you could be paid:

• Hourly
• Salaried
• Commission
• Performance

For hourly or salaried work, you'll generally be paid regardless of the number of clients you see. The upside to both is that your paychecks should be fairly predictable, and you don't need to do a ton of self-promotion. On the flip side, you have little control over your clients may may find yourself working outside your comfort zone. And, with hourly pay, your hours may be unpredictable.

If you work on commission, your pay is based on how many clients you bring in and the amount of products you sell. If you have an existing client base and a knack for sales, this could be a great idea for you. However, if you don't have a slew of loyal customers and aren't sales-minded, this probably isn't the right route.

Pay based on performance isn't hugely common, but it involves a mixture of salaried or hourly work and commission. The more hands-on work you do, the higher your pay is. The upside is you have guaranteed pay, but the downside is you need to advertise yourself to bring in the highest possible pay.

Self-employed cosmetologists may work out of their homes, on the road, or out of a salon where they've rented a booth. Like commission and performance-based pay, you need to advertise yourself. Cosmetologists who work for themselves typically have control over their hours and rates, which can be hugely beneficial. The largest challenges for many include not consistently having work and figuring out how to pay taxes appropriately.

When work is slow, you may need to get creative and bring in money by doing things like hosting online tutorials or improving your marketing strategies.

If you find yourself in need of additional pay if you're self-employed, you can certainly consider side hustles both in and out of beauty, like creating your own products, blogging, or creating online tutorials.

All pay structures can be supplemented with tips from clients.

How to Improve Your Cosmetologist Salary

If you want to grow your cosmetology pay, you should pursue continuing education, continue building your portfolio, and look for unique opportunities to expand and show off your skills. You can also consider earning additional endorsements and licenses.

Continuing education is required in many states, but you aren't limited to the number of hours or types of courses mandated. If you want to learn a new skill, chances are you can find a class to take. However, you may need to travel to a conference or a large city if the skill is highly specialized or your area is tiny and doesn't have many salons or visiting experts.

If you offer specialty services, be sure to rent a booth at any relevant event you can. Wedding conventions may be especially important for this, as many brides are there to find their perfect stylist. If you create your own beauty products, any event showcasing local businesses or artists may also be great resources as well—even farmers' markets.

Additional endorsements and licenses may also be worth investigating, particularly if you can find a crossover program.

For instance, having a cosmetology license could shorten your required hours for earning your barber license. Barbers often make a bit more money and can provide services cosmetologists can't (and vice versa). You can offer barbering and cosmetology services at the same time.

You could also look into becoming an esthetician in addition to being a cosmetologist, which could allow you to perform a ton of additional services and potentially earn more money.