Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Iowa
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Iowa earned a median of $35,700 a year ($17.17 an hour) and a mean of $40,410 in May 2025. The median is about level with the U.S. median of $35,790, ranking 22nd of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $35,700
- Median hourly
- $17.17
- Mean annual
- $40,410
- Jobs on record
- 2,930
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 Iowa compare on pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Iowa ranks 22nd of 52 states and territories. Washington is highest at $59,510, $23,810 more than the Iowa median.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 20 | $36,150 | +1% | 15,500 |
| New York | 21 | $35,760 | -0% | 20,740 |
| Iowa | 22 | $35,700 | -0% | 2,930 |
| Idaho | 23 | $35,480 | -1% | 2,250 |
| Utah | 24 | $35,140 | -2% | 2,810 |
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 Iowa pay go further after prices?
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the U.S. average, so the $35,700 median buys about what $40,678 buys at average U.S. prices, above the $35,790 U.S. median. On this measure Iowa ranks 10th of 50, up from 22nd 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 Iowa pay hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area is highest at $37,890, 6.1% above the Iowa median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $37,890 | 220 |
| Ames, IA | $36,170 | 170 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $36,050 | 50 |
| Iowa City, IA | $35,950 | 240 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $35,770 | 260 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $35,640 | 870 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $35,470 | 230 |
| Dubuque, IA | $35,360 | 110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $35,360 | 160 |
| Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $35,170 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $33,580 | 420 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,330 | 100 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in Iowa 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 Iowa?
BLS counts 2,930 jobs in Iowa, 0.96% of the 305,710 in the U.S. That is the 25th largest count among the 52 states and territories with a published figure. That is 1.9 of every 1,000 jobs in Iowa, a location quotient of 0.96: the occupation's share of local jobs is 0.96 times its national share, so it is about as concentrated here as in the U.S. as a whole.
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025 and national file.
Related jobs in Iowa
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.