Cosmetology Schools in Oregon

Oregon has no umbrella cosmetology license. Instead, the state divides the field into hair design, nail technician, and esthetician, each with its own training and examination requirements.

Here, you can find a brief overview of each of these Oregon licenses. For more information about curriculums, pay, licensure requirements, reciprocity, and more, visit your preferred field's own page.

Browse our directory of cosmetology schools in Oregon, or skip ahead to learn about the state's cosmetology licensing requirements and job outlook.

What to Expect from a Cosmetology Program in Oregon

Each beauty field has different training requirements in Oregon. No matter the path you take, you can expect your cosmetology school to offer a combination of theory and hands-on learning, not just regarding the skills you need to succeed but also about laws, science, and other relevant topics.

You can expect to spend the following amounts of time in standard Oregon beauty programs:

• Esthetics: 444 hours and 220 practical operations
• Hair Design: 1,110 beauty skills hours and 455 practical operations
• Nail Technology: 241 hours and 70 practical operations

Oregon also allows students to complete training at a proficiency-based program. These are held at Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools, which may be available to high school or community college learners. Students in these beauty programs must complete the same number of practical operations as those in traditional beauty programs, but the rest of the time is less about hitting a number and more about demonstrating understanding.

How to Get a Cosmetology License in Oregon

You can get a hair design, esthetics, or nail tech license in Oregon by completing a beauty program, passing exams, submitting an application, and paying fees. The state also requires passing exam scores.

Which Oregon Beauty License Should I Get?

Choosing a beauty license depends on factors like your passion, how long you want to spend in school, and how much you could earn.

• Esthetics takes about double the time of nail technology, but less than half as long as a hair design program. Pay falls between the other two fields.
• Hair Design takes the longest to complete, but it has the highest average salary of the three fields. This license is most similar to cosmetology licenses in other states, as required curricula typically focus on hair above all.
• Nail Technology takes the least amount of time. While it pays the least of the three, the number of jobs is growing the fastest.

All three fields pay more than the national average, and growth rates are through the roof!

Cosmetology Specialties in Oregon

You can choose from a variety of other beauty careers in Oregon. These include, but aren't limited to, barbering, natural hair styling, electrology, and massage therapy. Each has unique requirements, and the cosmetology board oversees only barbering and natural hair. Other areas are managed by their own boards.

Cosmetology Salary and Growth

Oregon cosmetologists' average pay is higher than the national average, and the field is growing at an amazingly fast rate!

In 2025:

• Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Oregon earned an average of $57,580 per year, and the number of jobs is expected to grow by 24% between 2022 and 2032.
• Estheticians earned a median of $52,100, and the field is expected to grow by 21%.
• Nail techs earned an average of $46,080, and the field is expected to grow by 26%.