Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Washington
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Washington earned a median of $59,510 a year ($28.61 an hour) and a mean of $63,800 in May 2025. The median is 66.3% above the U.S. median of $35,790, ranking highest of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $59,510
- Median hourly
- $28.61
- Mean annual
- $63,800
- Jobs on record
- 6,930
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 Washington compare on pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Washington pays hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists more than any other state or territory, ahead of Oregon at $57,580.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1 | $59,510 | +66% | 6,930 |
| Oregon | 2 | $57,580 | +61% | 1,860 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $54,570 | +52% | 870 |
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 Washington pay go further after prices?
Prices in Washington run 7.0% above the U.S. average, so the $59,510 median buys about what $55,610 buys at average U.S. prices, above the $35,790 U.S. median. On this measure Washington ranks 3rd of 50, down from 1st 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 Washington pay hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
Bellingham, WA is highest at $61,820, 3.9% above the Washington median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | $61,820 | 160 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,440 | 570 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,810 | 4,510 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $58,150 | 200 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $55,630 | 140 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $49,840 | 290 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $49,640 | 250 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,270 | 100 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $38,810 | 70 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $36,590 | 40 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in Washington 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 Washington?
BLS counts 6,930 jobs in Washington, 2.3% of the 305,710 in the U.S. That is the 14th largest count among the 52 states and territories with a published figure. That is 2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in Washington, a location quotient of 0.99: the occupation's share of local jobs is 0.99 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.
How does the Washington minimum wage compare with pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
The 10th-percentile hourly pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Washington was $17.71 in May 2025, $0.58 above the $17.13 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.
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 Washington
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.