39 Series · SOC 39-5012
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $35,790
- Median / year
- $71,190
- Top 10% earn
- +5.6%
- Growth '23–'33
- 305,710
- US workers
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn a median of $35,790 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $35,790, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $27,040 (10th percentile) to $71,190 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 305,710 US workers. Washington pays the most ($59,510), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn a median of $35,790, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 4% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Personal Care and Service, it ranks #22 of 32 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 5.6% by 2033.
- $35,790
- Median annual wage
- Top 96%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #22 of 32
- in Personal Care and Service
- 2.6×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Washington at $59,510. Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012) pays a national median of $35,790 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $27,040 at the 10th percentile to $71,190 at the 90th, with a mean of $43,960 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 305,710 Americans work in this occupation across 52 reporting states and 451 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +5.6% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as about average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 75,800 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Postsecondary nondegree award. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 1.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 2 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Washington pays the highest state median at $59,510, which is +66% above the national figure. The top metro is Corvallis, OR at $61,880 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
BLS OEWS May 2025 305,710 jobs Median $35,790/yr
Median Salary
$35,790
per year
Median Hourly
$17.21/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$43,960
average
Employment
305,710
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$35,790 Bottom 4% higher than 4% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 39-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 24 39-series occupations with growth data, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists sits on the faster-growing side at +5.6% growth and $35,790 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+5.6%
About average
Annual Openings
75,800
per year (projected)
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings → A
Very Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
1.5/100K
Injury Rate
2/100
Danger Index
8.8/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Active Listening 3.9
Speaking 3.8
Service Orientation 3.6
Critical Thinking 3.4
Active Learning 3.3
Judgment and Decision Making 3.3
Social Perceptiveness 3.1
Reading Comprehension 3.0
Monitoring 3.0
Complex Problem Solving 3.0
Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service 4.4
Sales and Marketing 3.7
Administration and Management 3.0
Education and Training 3.0
English Language 2.9
Chemistry 2.8
Administrative 2.5
Economics and Accounting 2.5
Personnel and Human Resources 2.5
Mathematics 2.2
Key Tasks
- ▸ 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.
- ▸ Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
- ▸ Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
- ▸ Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers, and assistants.
- ▸ Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
- ▸ Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$27,040
25th Percentile
$30,120
Median
$35,790
75th Percentile
$48,830
90th Percentile
$71,190
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 52 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $59,510 | +66% above national |
| 2 | Oregon | $57,580 | +61% above national |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $54,570 | +52% above national |
| 4 | South Dakota | $49,800 | +39% above national |
| 5 | Vermont | $48,650 | +36% above national |
| 6 | Connecticut | $44,620 | +25% above national |
| 7 | Maine | $44,000 | +23% above national |
| 8 | Minnesota | $39,170 | +9% above national |
| 9 | California | $38,660 | +8% above national |
| 10 | North Carolina | $38,410 | +7% above national |
| 11 | Montana | $38,000 | +6% above national |
| 12 | New Mexico | $37,750 | +5% above national |
| 13 | Colorado | $37,690 | +5% above national |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $37,290 | +4% above national |
| 15 | Arizona | $36,810 | +3% above national |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $36,790 | +3% above national |
| 17 | Maryland | $36,420 | +2% above national |
| 18 | Ohio | $36,260 | +1% above national |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $36,230 | +1% above national |
| 20 | New Jersey | $36,150 | +1% above national |
| 21 | New York | $35,760 | same as national |
| 22 | Iowa | $35,700 | same as national |
| 23 | Idaho | $35,480 | 1% below national |
| 24 | Utah | $35,140 | 2% below national |
| 25 | Hawaii | $35,040 | 2% below national |
| 26 | North Dakota | $34,850 | 3% below national |
| 27 | Michigan | $34,820 | 3% below national |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $34,650 | 3% below national |
| 29 | Georgia | $34,560 | 3% below national |
| 30 | West Virginia | $34,480 | 4% below national |
| 31 | Delaware | $34,350 | 4% below national |
| 32 | Nebraska | $34,320 | 4% below national |
| 33 | Illinois | $34,040 | 5% below national |
| 34 | Nevada | $33,840 | 5% below national |
| 35 | South Carolina | $33,700 | 6% below national |
| 36 | Indiana | $32,830 | 8% below national |
| 37 | Alaska | $32,150 | 10% below national |
| 38 | Tennessee | $31,310 | 13% below national |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $31,200 | 13% below national |
| 40 | Missouri | $30,750 | 14% below national |
| 41 | Texas | $30,680 | 14% below national |
| 42 | Kentucky | $29,840 | 17% below national |
| 43 | Kansas | $29,710 | 17% below national |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $29,650 | 17% below national |
| 45 | Florida | $29,530 | 17% below national |
| 46 | Guam | $29,500 | 18% below national |
| 47 | Wyoming | $29,170 | 18% below national |
| 48 | Alabama | $29,150 | 19% below national |
| 49 | Arkansas | $28,830 | 19% below national |
| 50 | Mississippi | $27,560 | 23% below national |
| 51 | Louisiana | $26,030 | 27% below national |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $22,090 | 38% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 451 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corvallis, OR | $61,880 | +73% above national |
| 2 | Bellingham, WA | $61,820 | +73% above national |
| 3 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,440 | +72% above national |
| 4 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $60,710 | +70% above national |
| 5 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,810 | +67% above national |
| 6 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,610 | +67% above national |
| 7 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $58,740 | +64% above national |
| 8 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $58,150 | +62% above national |
| 9 | Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $55,630 | +55% above national |
| 10 | East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $53,940 | +51% above national |
| 11 | Bend, OR | $51,640 | +44% above national |
| 12 | West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $51,370 | +44% above national |
| 13 | Salem, OR | $50,960 | +42% above national |
| 14 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,500 | +41% above national |
| 15 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $49,840 | +39% above national |
| 16 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $49,640 | +39% above national |
| 17 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $49,570 | +39% above national |
| 18 | Medford, OR | $49,480 | +38% above national |
| 19 | West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $49,370 | +38% above national |
| 20 | Rapid City, SD | $48,440 | +35% above national |
| 21 | Boulder, CO | $48,120 | +34% above national |
| 22 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $48,060 | +34% above national |
| 23 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $47,700 | +33% above national |
| 24 | Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $46,780 | +31% above national |
| 25 | Barnstable Town, MA | $46,520 | +30% above national |
| 26 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $46,470 | +30% above national |
| 27 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $46,460 | +30% above national |
| 28 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,310 | +29% above national |
| 29 | Yakima, WA | $46,270 | +29% above national |
| 30 | Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $45,200 | +26% above national |
| 31 | Greeley, CO | $44,380 | +24% above national |
| 32 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $44,270 | +24% above national |
| 33 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $43,700 | +22% above national |
| 34 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,500 | +22% above national |
| 35 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,410 | +21% above national |
| 36 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $42,650 | +19% above national |
| 37 | Great Falls, MT | $42,450 | +19% above national |
| 38 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $42,400 | +18% above national |
| 39 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $42,350 | +18% above national |
| 40 | Maryland nonmetropolitan area | $41,690 | +16% above national |
| 41 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $41,230 | +15% above national |
| 42 | Billings, MT | $40,950 | +14% above national |
| 43 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $40,720 | +14% above national |
| 44 | Asheville, NC | $40,620 | +13% above national |
| 45 | Jacksonville, NC | $39,990 | +12% above national |
| 46 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $39,990 | +12% above national |
| 47 | Napa, CA | $39,610 | +11% above national |
| 48 | Rochester, MN | $39,460 | +10% above national |
| 49 | Salisbury, MD | $39,400 | +10% above national |
| 50 | Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $39,310 | +10% above national |
| 51 | Winston-Salem, NC | $38,980 | +9% above national |
| 52 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $38,810 | +8% above national |
| 53 | North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $38,810 | +8% above national |
| 54 | Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $38,790 | +8% above national |
| 55 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $38,740 | +8% above national |
| 56 | Vallejo, CA | $38,640 | +8% above national |
| 57 | Tucson, AZ | $38,590 | +8% above national |
| 58 | Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $38,580 | +8% above national |
| 59 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $38,530 | +8% above national |
| 60 | North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $38,480 | +8% above national |
| 61 | Albuquerque, NM | $38,330 | +7% above national |
| 62 | Fayetteville, NC | $38,290 | +7% above national |
| 63 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $38,280 | +7% above national |
| 64 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $38,200 | +7% above national |
| 65 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $38,190 | +7% above national |
| 66 | Helena, MT | $38,160 | +7% above national |
| 67 | Akron, OH | $38,100 | +6% above national |
| 68 | Pittsburgh, PA | $38,100 | +6% above national |
| 69 | Salinas, CA | $37,970 | +6% above national |
| 70 | Lebanon, PA | $37,920 | +6% above national |
| 71 | Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $37,890 | +6% above national |
| 72 | Chico, CA | $37,880 | +6% above national |
| 73 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $37,820 | +6% above national |
| 74 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $37,690 | +5% above national |
| 75 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $37,690 | +5% above national |
| 76 | Vineland, NJ | $37,680 | +5% above national |
| 77 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $37,620 | +5% above national |
| 78 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $37,440 | +5% above national |
| 79 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $37,430 | +5% above national |
| 80 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $37,430 | +5% above national |
| 81 | Lexington Park, MD | $37,420 | +5% above national |
| 82 | Flagstaff, AZ | $37,390 | +4% above national |
| 83 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $37,380 | +4% above national |
| 84 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $37,380 | +4% above national |
| 85 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $37,350 | +4% above national |
| 86 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $37,320 | +4% above national |
| 87 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $37,290 | +4% above national |
| 88 | Wilmington, NC | $37,230 | +4% above national |
| 89 | Sheboygan, WI | $37,210 | +4% above national |
| 90 | Yuba City, CA | $37,180 | +4% above national |
| 91 | Bangor, ME | $37,050 | +4% above national |
| 92 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,020 | +3% above national |
| 93 | Modesto, CA | $36,960 | +3% above national |
| 94 | Niles, MI | $36,960 | +3% above national |
| 95 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $36,900 | +3% above national |
| 96 | Rochester, NY | $36,830 | +3% above national |
| 97 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $36,810 | +3% above national |
| 98 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,790 | +3% above national |
| 99 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $36,780 | +3% above national |
| 100 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $36,760 | +3% above national |
| 101 | Springfield, MA | $36,690 | +3% above national |
| 102 | Colorado Springs, CO | $36,680 | +2% above national |
| 103 | Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $36,650 | +2% above national |
| 104 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $36,620 | +2% above national |
| 105 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $36,610 | +2% above national |
| 106 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $36,590 | +2% above national |
| 107 | Visalia, CA | $36,570 | +2% above national |
| 108 | State College, PA | $36,540 | +2% above national |
| 109 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $36,530 | +2% above national |
| 110 | Kenosha, WI | $36,520 | +2% above national |
| 111 | Grand Junction, CO | $36,500 | +2% above national |
| 112 | Madison, WI | $36,490 | +2% above national |
| 113 | Reno, NV | $36,490 | +2% above national |
| 114 | New Haven, CT | $36,480 | +2% above national |
| 115 | Toledo, OH | $36,440 | +2% above national |
| 116 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $36,430 | +2% above national |
| 117 | Worcester, MA | $36,430 | +2% above national |
| 118 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $36,410 | +2% above national |
| 119 | Omaha, NE-IA | $36,390 | +2% above national |
| 120 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $36,370 | +2% above national |
| 121 | Reading, PA | $36,350 | +2% above national |
| 122 | Appleton, WI | $36,260 | +1% above national |
| 123 | Columbus, OH | $36,260 | +1% above national |
| 124 | Lawrence, KS | $36,180 | +1% above national |
| 125 | Ames, IA | $36,170 | +1% above national |
| 126 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $36,120 | +1% above national |
| 127 | Gettysburg, PA | $36,100 | +1% above national |
| 128 | York-Hanover, PA | $36,050 | +1% above national |
| 129 | Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $36,050 | +1% above national |
| 130 | Sebring, FL | $36,000 | +1% above national |
| 131 | Iowa City, IA | $35,950 | same as national |
| 132 | Columbia, MO | $35,900 | same as national |
| 133 | Boise City, ID | $35,890 | same as national |
| 134 | Fresno, CA | $35,880 | same as national |
| 135 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,770 | same as national |
| 136 | Cleveland, OH | $35,640 | same as national |
| 137 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $35,640 | same as national |
| 138 | Midland, MI | $35,580 | 1% below national |
| 139 | Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $35,570 | 1% below national |
| 140 | Pittsfield, MA | $35,550 | 1% below national |
| 141 | Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $35,550 | 1% below national |
| 142 | Erie, PA | $35,540 | 1% below national |
| 143 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $35,540 | 1% below national |
| 144 | Lancaster, PA | $35,510 | 1% below national |
| 145 | Janesville-Beloit, WI | $35,500 | 1% below national |
| 146 | Ann Arbor, MI | $35,490 | 1% below national |
| 147 | Green Bay, WI | $35,490 | 1% below national |
| 148 | Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $35,470 | 1% below national |
| 149 | Dubuque, IA | $35,360 | 1% below national |
| 150 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $35,360 | 1% below national |
| 151 | South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $35,360 | 1% below national |
| 152 | Carson City, NV | $35,350 | 1% below national |
| 153 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $35,330 | 1% below national |
| 154 | St. Cloud, MN | $35,310 | 1% below national |
| 155 | Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $35,270 | 1% below national |
| 156 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $35,220 | 2% below national |
| 157 | Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $35,200 | 2% below national |
| 158 | Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $35,190 | 2% below national |
| 159 | Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $35,170 | 2% below national |
| 160 | Eau Claire, WI | $35,140 | 2% below national |
| 161 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $35,100 | 2% below national |
| 162 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $35,090 | 2% below national |
| 163 | Duluth, MN-WI | $35,080 | 2% below national |
| 164 | Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $35,020 | 2% below national |
| 165 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $35,010 | 2% below national |
| 166 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $35,010 | 2% below national |
| 167 | Mankato, MN | $35,010 | 2% below national |
| 168 | West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $34,990 | 2% below national |
| 169 | Greenville, NC | $34,980 | 2% below national |
| 170 | Yuma, AZ | $34,970 | 2% below national |
| 171 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $34,960 | 2% below national |
| 172 | Traverse City, MI | $34,950 | 2% below national |
| 173 | Redding, CA | $34,930 | 2% below national |
| 174 | Fargo, ND-MN | $34,910 | 2% below national |
| 175 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $34,860 | 3% below national |
| 176 | Syracuse, NY | $34,810 | 3% below national |
| 177 | Battle Creek, MI | $34,770 | 3% below national |
| 178 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $34,730 | 3% below national |
| 179 | Johnstown, PA | $34,720 | 3% below national |
| 180 | Kingston, NY | $34,720 | 3% below national |
| 181 | Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $34,710 | 3% below national |
| 182 | Burlington, NC | $34,700 | 3% below national |
| 183 | Bismarck, ND | $34,680 | 3% below national |
| 184 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $34,670 | 3% below national |
| 185 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $34,640 | 3% below national |
| 186 | Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $34,560 | 3% below national |
| 187 | Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $34,510 | 4% below national |
| 188 | Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $34,460 | 4% below national |
| 189 | North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | $34,450 | 4% below national |
| 190 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,430 | 4% below national |
| 191 | Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $34,410 | 4% below national |
| 192 | Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $34,400 | 4% below national |
| 193 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $34,380 | 4% below national |
| 194 | Arizona nonmetropolitan area | $34,280 | 4% below national |
| 195 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $34,260 | 4% below national |
| 196 | Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $34,220 | 4% below national |
| 197 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $34,110 | 5% below national |
| 198 | Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $34,070 | 5% below national |
| 199 | Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $34,060 | 5% below national |
| 200 | Wausau, WI | $34,050 | 5% below national |
| 201 | Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $33,980 | 5% below national |
| 202 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $33,960 | 5% below national |
| 203 | Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $33,860 | 5% below national |
| 204 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $33,850 | 5% below national |
| 205 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $33,840 | 5% below national |
| 206 | Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $33,820 | 6% below national |
| 207 | Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $33,810 | 6% below national |
| 208 | Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $33,810 | 6% below national |
| 209 | Pocatello, ID | $33,760 | 6% below national |
| 210 | Saginaw, MI | $33,650 | 6% below national |
| 211 | Spartanburg, SC | $33,640 | 6% below national |
| 212 | Binghamton, NY | $33,620 | 6% below national |
| 213 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $33,620 | 6% below national |
| 214 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $33,580 | 6% below national |
| 215 | Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $33,560 | 6% below national |
| 216 | Lima, OH | $33,530 | 6% below national |
| 217 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $33,510 | 6% below national |
| 218 | Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $33,510 | 6% below national |
| 219 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $33,480 | 6% below national |
| 220 | Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $33,370 | 7% below national |
| 221 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $33,350 | 7% below national |
| 222 | Pueblo, CO | $33,280 | 7% below national |
| 223 | Springfield, OH | $33,280 | 7% below national |
| 224 | Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $33,280 | 7% below national |
| 225 | Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $33,160 | 7% below national |
| 226 | Idaho Falls, ID | $33,080 | 8% below national |
| 227 | Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $33,040 | 8% below national |
| 228 | Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $33,020 | 8% below national |
| 229 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $32,950 | 8% below national |
| 230 | Morgantown, WV | $32,790 | 8% below national |
| 231 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $32,710 | 9% below national |
| 232 | Decatur, IL | $32,620 | 9% below national |
| 233 | Utica-Rome, NY | $32,520 | 9% below national |
| 234 | Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $32,390 | 9% below national |
| 235 | Peoria, IL | $32,280 | 10% below national |
| 236 | Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $32,240 | 10% below national |
| 237 | Anchorage, AK | $32,150 | 10% below national |
| 238 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $32,100 | 10% below national |
| 239 | Minot, ND | $32,030 | 11% below national |
| 240 | Fond du Lac, WI | $31,810 | 11% below national |
| 241 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $31,720 | 11% below national |
| 242 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $31,720 | 11% below national |
| 243 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $31,620 | 12% below national |
| 244 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $31,520 | 12% below national |
| 245 | Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $31,480 | 12% below national |
| 246 | Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $31,400 | 12% below national |
| 247 | Columbus, IN | $31,300 | 13% below national |
| 248 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $31,270 | 13% below national |
| 249 | Dover, DE | $31,200 | 13% below national |
| 250 | Kankakee, IL | $31,200 | 13% below national |
| 251 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $31,200 | 13% below national |
| 252 | Springfield, IL | $31,200 | 13% below national |
| 253 | West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $31,200 | 13% below national |
| 254 | South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $31,200 | 13% below national |
| 255 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $31,110 | 13% below national |
| 256 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $31,080 | 13% below national |
| 257 | Muncie, IN | $31,020 | 13% below national |
| 258 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $31,020 | 13% below national |
| 259 | Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $31,000 | 13% below national |
| 260 | Santa Fe, NM | $30,990 | 13% below national |
| 261 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $30,980 | 13% below national |
| 262 | San Angelo, TX | $30,900 | 14% below national |
| 263 | Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $30,840 | 14% below national |
| 264 | Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $30,820 | 14% below national |
| 265 | Florence, SC | $30,810 | 14% below national |
| 266 | West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $30,790 | 14% below national |
| 267 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $30,770 | 14% below national |
| 268 | Goldsboro, NC | $30,740 | 14% below national |
| 269 | Grand Island, NE | $30,740 | 14% below national |
| 270 | Bay City, MI | $30,720 | 14% below national |
| 271 | Columbia, SC | $30,710 | 14% below national |
| 272 | Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $30,710 | 14% below national |
| 273 | Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $30,710 | 14% below national |
| 274 | Monroe, MI | $30,690 | 14% below national |
| 275 | Knoxville, TN | $30,650 | 14% below national |
| 276 | Jackson, MI | $30,640 | 14% below national |
| 277 | Flint, MI | $30,610 | 14% below national |
| 278 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $30,590 | 15% below national |
| 279 | Williamsport, PA | $30,580 | 15% below national |
| 280 | Logan, UT-ID | $30,560 | 15% below national |
| 281 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $30,550 | 15% below national |
| 282 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $30,530 | 15% below national |
| 283 | Montgomery, AL | $30,530 | 15% below national |
| 284 | Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $30,530 | 15% below national |
| 285 | Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $30,490 | 15% below national |
| 286 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $30,460 | 15% below national |
| 287 | Lincoln, NE | $30,440 | 15% below national |
| 288 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $30,410 | 15% below national |
| 289 | Cleveland, TN | $30,390 | 15% below national |
| 290 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,380 | 15% below national |
| 291 | Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $30,380 | 15% below national |
| 292 | Bloomington, IN | $30,360 | 15% below national |
| 293 | Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $30,350 | 15% below national |
| 294 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,330 | 15% below national |
| 295 | Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $30,330 | 15% below national |
| 296 | Kokomo, IN | $30,320 | 15% below national |
| 297 | Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $30,260 | 15% below national |
| 298 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $30,250 | 15% below national |
| 299 | Homosassa Springs, FL | $30,250 | 15% below national |
| 300 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $30,250 | 15% below national |
| 301 | North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $30,240 | 16% below national |
| 302 | Savannah, GA | $30,210 | 16% below national |
| 303 | St. George, UT | $30,200 | 16% below national |
| 304 | Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $30,200 | 16% below national |
| 305 | Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $30,180 | 16% below national |
| 306 | Altoona, PA | $30,090 | 16% below national |
| 307 | Ogden, UT | $30,080 | 16% below national |
| 308 | Midland, TX | $30,040 | 16% below national |
| 309 | Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $30,030 | 16% below national |
| 310 | Fort Wayne, IN | $29,950 | 16% below national |
| 311 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $29,940 | 16% below national |
| 312 | Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $29,930 | 16% below national |
| 313 | Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $29,910 | 16% below national |
| 314 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,900 | 16% below national |
| 315 | North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $29,870 | 17% below national |
| 316 | Tulsa, OK | $29,860 | 17% below national |
| 317 | Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area | $29,860 | 17% below national |
| 318 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $29,850 | 17% below national |
| 319 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $29,830 | 17% below national |
| 320 | North Florida nonmetropolitan area | $29,810 | 17% below national |
| 321 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $29,800 | 17% below national |
| 322 | Columbus, GA-AL | $29,790 | 17% below national |
| 323 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $29,790 | 17% below national |
| 324 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $29,780 | 17% below national |
| 325 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $29,760 | 17% below national |
| 326 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $29,700 | 17% below national |
| 327 | Evansville, IN | $29,700 | 17% below national |
| 328 | Manhattan, KS | $29,700 | 17% below national |
| 329 | Mobile, AL | $29,700 | 17% below national |
| 330 | Oklahoma City, OK | $29,700 | 17% below national |
| 331 | Mansfield, OH | $29,690 | 17% below national |
| 332 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $29,690 | 17% below national |
| 333 | High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area | $29,680 | 17% below national |
| 334 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,580 | 17% below national |
| 335 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $29,520 | 18% below national |
| 336 | Youngstown-Warren, OH | $29,520 | 18% below national |
| 337 | East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $29,520 | 18% below national |
| 338 | Springfield, MO | $29,500 | 18% below national |
| 339 | Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $29,490 | 18% below national |
| 340 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $29,470 | 18% below national |
| 341 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,430 | 18% below national |
| 342 | Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $29,400 | 18% below national |
| 343 | Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $29,360 | 18% below national |
| 344 | Cheyenne, WY | $29,260 | 18% below national |
| 345 | Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $29,250 | 18% below national |
| 346 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $29,230 | 18% below national |
| 347 | Morristown, TN | $29,210 | 18% below national |
| 348 | Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $29,210 | 18% below national |
| 349 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $29,200 | 18% below national |
| 350 | Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $29,200 | 18% below national |
| 351 | South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $29,190 | 18% below national |
| 352 | Punta Gorda, FL | $29,160 | 19% below national |
| 353 | Topeka, KS | $29,160 | 19% below national |
| 354 | Huntsville, AL | $29,150 | 19% below national |
| 355 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $29,120 | 19% below national |
| 356 | Waco, TX | $29,110 | 19% below national |
| 357 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $29,050 | 19% below national |
| 358 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $29,030 | 19% below national |
| 359 | Sandusky, OH | $29,030 | 19% below national |
| 360 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $29,020 | 19% below national |
| 361 | Tallahassee, FL | $29,010 | 19% below national |
| 362 | Birmingham, AL | $29,000 | 19% below national |
| 363 | Johnson City, TN | $28,980 | 19% below national |
| 364 | Gainesville, GA | $28,930 | 19% below national |
| 365 | North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $28,930 | 19% below national |
| 366 | Jacksonville, FL | $28,900 | 19% below national |
| 367 | West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $28,870 | 19% below national |
| 368 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,820 | 19% below national |
| 369 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $28,800 | 20% below national |
| 370 | Sumter, SC | $28,780 | 20% below national |
| 371 | Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $28,780 | 20% below national |
| 372 | Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $28,740 | 20% below national |
| 373 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $28,730 | 20% below national |
| 374 | Charlottesville, VA | $28,720 | 20% below national |
| 375 | Hot Springs, AR | $28,680 | 20% below national |
| 376 | Jefferson City, MO | $28,630 | 20% below national |
| 377 | Lubbock, TX | $28,630 | 20% below national |
| 378 | Beckley, WV | $28,610 | 20% below national |
| 379 | Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 20% below national |
| 380 | Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $28,600 | 20% below national |
| 381 | Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $28,600 | 20% below national |
| 382 | Bowling Green, KY | $28,580 | 20% below national |
| 383 | East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $28,580 | 20% below national |
| 384 | Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $28,560 | 20% below national |
| 385 | Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $28,550 | 20% below national |
| 386 | Decatur, AL | $28,430 | 21% below national |
| 387 | North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $28,410 | 21% below national |
| 388 | Elizabethtown, KY | $28,390 | 21% below national |
| 389 | Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $28,380 | 21% below national |
| 390 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $28,370 | 21% below national |
| 391 | Paducah, KY-IL | $28,350 | 21% below national |
| 392 | Wichita, KS | $28,340 | 21% below national |
| 393 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $28,310 | 21% below national |
| 394 | Terre Haute, IN | $28,280 | 21% below national |
| 395 | West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $28,260 | 21% below national |
| 396 | Abilene, TX | $28,230 | 21% below national |
| 397 | Corpus Christi, TX | $28,210 | 21% below national |
| 398 | Dothan, AL | $28,150 | 21% below national |
| 399 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $28,090 | 22% below national |
| 400 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $28,080 | 22% below national |
| 401 | Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $28,080 | 22% below national |
| 402 | Lawton, OK | $28,050 | 22% below national |
| 403 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $27,980 | 22% below national |
| 404 | Gainesville, FL | $27,930 | 22% below national |
| 405 | Owensboro, KY | $27,890 | 22% below national |
| 406 | College Station-Bryan, TX | $27,860 | 22% below national |
| 407 | Wichita Falls, TX | $27,830 | 22% below national |
| 408 | Amarillo, TX | $27,810 | 22% below national |
| 409 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $27,790 | 22% below national |
| 410 | Roanoke, VA | $27,750 | 22% below national |
| 411 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $27,750 | 22% below national |
| 412 | Casper, WY | $27,740 | 22% below national |
| 413 | Harrisonburg, VA | $27,730 | 23% below national |
| 414 | Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $27,660 | 23% below national |
| 415 | Longview, TX | $27,640 | 23% below national |
| 416 | Jonesboro, AR | $27,570 | 23% below national |
| 417 | Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $27,550 | 23% below national |
| 418 | Farmington, NM | $27,360 | 24% below national |
| 419 | Rocky Mount, NC | $27,330 | 24% below national |
| 420 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $27,310 | 24% below national |
| 421 | Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $27,310 | 24% below national |
| 422 | Ocala, FL | $27,180 | 24% below national |
| 423 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $27,170 | 24% below national |
| 424 | South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $27,170 | 24% below national |
| 425 | Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $27,140 | 24% below national |
| 426 | Gadsden, AL | $27,070 | 24% below national |
| 427 | Jackson, MS | $26,990 | 25% below national |
| 428 | El Paso, TX | $26,970 | 25% below national |
| 429 | Tyler, TX | $26,950 | 25% below national |
| 430 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $26,890 | 25% below national |
| 431 | Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $26,740 | 25% below national |
| 432 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $26,470 | 26% below national |
| 433 | Baton Rouge, LA | $26,300 | 27% below national |
| 434 | Macon-Bibb County, GA | $26,280 | 27% below national |
| 435 | West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $26,170 | 27% below national |
| 436 | Laredo, TX | $26,130 | 27% below national |
| 437 | Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $26,080 | 27% below national |
| 438 | Hattiesburg, MS | $24,580 | 31% below national |
| 439 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $24,170 | 32% below national |
| 440 | West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $23,990 | 33% below national |
| 441 | South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $23,990 | 33% below national |
| 442 | Lake Charles, LA | $23,840 | 33% below national |
| 443 | Albany, GA | $23,760 | 34% below national |
| 444 | Lafayette, LA | $23,700 | 34% below national |
| 445 | Alexandria, LA | $23,580 | 34% below national |
| 446 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $23,550 | 34% below national |
| 447 | Lower East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $23,500 | 34% below national |
| 448 | Monroe, LA | $23,260 | 35% below national |
| 449 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $22,480 | 37% below national |
| 450 | Mayaguez, PR | $22,220 | 38% below national |
| 451 | Arecibo, PR | $22,030 | 38% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 39 (personal care and service) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make? ▼
The median annual salary for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is $35,790 ($17.21/hour). The salary range spans from $27,040 at the 10th percentile to $71,190 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists the most? ▼
Washington pays the highest median salary for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists at $59,510/year, which is +66% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How dangerous is being a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists? ▼
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 1.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 2 per 100 workers.
Is Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists a good career? ▼
Employment for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, which is about average. About 75,800 openings are projected each year.
How does Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay vary by state? ▼
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Washington at $59,510/year, while Alabama pays the least at $29,150/year. BLS data covers 52 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is Corvallis, OR at $61,880/year. BLS reports wage data for 451 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.
What to do with this data
How to use Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $48,830/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Washington leads at $59,510/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.