Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Georgia
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Georgia earned a median of $34,560 a year ($16.62 an hour) and a mean of $42,830 in May 2025. The median is 3.4% below the U.S. median of $35,790, ranking 29th of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $34,560
- Median hourly
- $16.62
- Mean annual
- $42,830
- Jobs on record
- 7,910
Grey needle: U.S. median, $35,790 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, state file, May 2025. Wage and salary jobs only; the self-employed are not counted. OEWS pay excludes overtime, shift differentials and non-production bonuses. Confirm any figure on bls.gov/oes. Latest BLS release: May 2025, published May 15, 2026; checked November 10, 2026.
How does Georgia compare on pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Georgia ranks 29th of 52 states and territories. Washington is highest at $59,510, $24,950 more than the Georgia median.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 27 | $34,820 | -3% | 8,970 |
| New Hampshire | 28 | $34,650 | -3% | 1,950 |
| Georgia | 29 | $34,560 | -3% | 7,910 |
| West Virginia | 30 | $34,480 | -4% | 1,020 |
| Delaware | 31 | $34,350 | -4% | 1,270 |
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025. Rank 1 is the highest median among 52 states and territories with a published figure. See every state.
Does Georgia pay go further after prices?
Prices in Georgia run 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the $34,560 median buys about what $35,890 buys at average U.S. prices, above the $35,790 U.S. median. On this measure Georgia ranks 24th of 50, up from 29th before the adjustment.
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. The adjustment divides pay by the state's price level.
Which areas in Georgia pay hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is highest at $34,640, about the same as the Georgia median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $34,640 | 5,760 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $30,260 | 110 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $30,250 | 170 |
| Savannah, GA | $30,210 | 310 |
| North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $29,870 | 200 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,790 | 210 |
| East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $29,520 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,430 | 350 |
| Gainesville, GA | $28,930 | 140 |
| South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $27,170 | 110 |
| Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $26,740 | 120 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $26,280 | 110 |
| Albany, GA | $23,760 | 30 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in Georgia is shown; an area that crosses state lines is listed under the first state in its BLS title.
How many hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work in Georgia?
BLS counts 7,910 jobs in Georgia, 2.6% of the 305,710 in the U.S. That is the 12th largest count among the 52 states and territories with a published figure. That is 1.6 of every 1,000 jobs in Georgia, a location quotient of 0.82: the occupation's share of local jobs is 0.82 times its national share, so it is less concentrated here than in the U.S. as a whole.
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025 and national file.
How does the Georgia minimum wage compare with pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
The 10th-percentile hourly pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Georgia was $8.32 in May 2025, $1.07 above the $7.25 minimum wage that applies there now. The pay figure dates from May 2025 and the minimum wage is the current rate, so the two are not from the same date. The state rate is below $7.25; the federal $7.25 applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated 2026-11-05; BLS OEWS state file, May 2025, 10th-percentile hourly wage.
Related jobs in Georgia
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.