What is the typical salary range for a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?

Pay typically falls between $31,000 and $50,500 per year depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary: $45,500 Average

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Average base salary

$45,500 / year

≈ $3,800 per month · $21.88 per hour

LocationOr metro area

25th percentile
$31,000Average
$45,50075th percentile
$50,500

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by state

Alabama$35,000

Alaska$43,000

Arizona$44,500

Arkansas$34,500

California$50,000

Colorado$53,500

Connecticut$51,000

Delaware$44,500

District of Columbia$73,000

Florida$37,500

Georgia$44,500

Hawaii$47,500

Idaho$37,000

Illinois$41,000

Indiana$38,000

Iowa$42,000

Kansas$41,500

Kentucky$43,000

Louisiana$28,500

Maine$50,500

Maryland$47,000

Massachusetts$51,500

Michigan$49,000

Minnesota$50,000

Mississippi$35,000

Missouri$41,500

Montana$44,500

Nebraska$45,500

Nevada$40,000

New Hampshire$40,500

New Jersey$54,000

New Mexico$41,000

New York$52,000

North Carolina$45,000

North Dakota$45,500

Ohio$46,000

Oklahoma$37,500

Oregon$59,000

Pennsylvania$44,500

Rhode Island$37,000

South Carolina$44,000

South Dakota$50,000

Tennessee$39,500

Texas$40,000

Utah$43,500

Vermont$56,500

Washington$66,000

West Virginia$41,500

Wisconsin$40,500

Wyoming$35,500

About this role

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is a professional role in the Personal Care and Service job family, focused on Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.

What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss do

Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate

Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
Schedule client appointments.
Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.

Top skills: Active Listening Speaking Service Orientation Critical Thinking Judgment and Decision Making Active Learning

Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay by experience level

Entry level$28,000

Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)

Early career$31,000

A few years in (about the 25th percentile)

Experienced$37,000

Mid-career median pay

Senior$50,500

Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)

Top earners$73,500

Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)

Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.

Job outlook

+5.6%

projected change in jobs, 2024–2034

75,800

projected openings per year

Growing about as fast as average

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by industry

Personal and Laundry Services

266,220 workers

$46,000

Personal Care Services

265,230 workers

$46,000

General Merchandise Retailers

17,460 workers

$33,500

Health and Personal Care Retailers

13,410 workers

$35,000

Health and Personal Care Retailers

13,410 workers

$35,000

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries

1,560 workers

$126,000

Motion Picture and Video Industries

1,560 workers

$126,000

Nursing and Residential Care Facilities

1,050 workers

$44,000

Administrative and Support Services

970 workers

$53,000

Employment Services

970 workers

$53,000

National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.

How this role compares

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pays 4% below the average across 33 roles in the Personal Care and Service job family (family average $47,500).

Similar-paying roles in Personal Care and Service

Residential Advisor$45,500

Tour and Travel Guides$45,000

Gambling Dealer$44,000

Crematory Operator$47,500

Gambling Service Workers, All Other$43,000

Animal Trainer$48,500

Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$41,500

Baggage Porters and Bellhops$40,000

Animal Caretaker$38,500

Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners$38,000

Careers related to Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Barber$48,500

Skincare Specialist$53,500

Shampooer$33,000

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance$106,000

Manicurists and Pedicurists$40,000

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$46,500

Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make?

The average base salary for a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in the United States is $45,500 per year, or about $21.88 per hour.

What is the typical salary range?

Pay typically falls between $31,000 and $50,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

How does this compare with other Personal Care and Service roles?

The Personal Care and Service job family averages $47,500 across 33 roles tracked by WePayFairly.

Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.

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