Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,050 | $33,370 | $16.04 | |
| Alaska | 460 | $28,860 | $13.87 | |
| Arizona | 6,810 | $40,660 | $19.55 | |
| Arkansas | 1,310 | $31,080 | $14.94 | |
| California | 18,630 | $38,790 | $18.65 | |
| Colorado | 6,550 | $37,190 | $17.88 | |
| Connecticut | 3,880 | $35,180 | $16.91 | |
| Delaware | 1,680 | $36,650 | $17.62 | |
| District of Columbia | 550 | $72,530 | $34.87 | |
| Florida | 18,540 | $33,680 | $16.19 | |
| Georgia | 7,590 | $37,420 | $17.99 | |
| Hawaii | 1,120 | $43,370 | $20.85 | |
| Idaho | 1,590 | $29,500 | $14.18 | |
| Illinois | 12,800 | $42,660 | $20.51 | |
| Indiana | 6,280 | $31,320 | $15.06 | |
| Iowa | 3,220 | $32,850 | $15.79 | |
| Kansas | 2,640 | $33,130 | $15.93 | |
| Kentucky | 2,580 | $25,790 | $12.40 | |
| Louisiana | 2,000 | $27,760 | $13.35 | |
| Maine | 890 | $33,850 | $16.27 | |
| Maryland | 5,490 | $39,440 | $18.96 | |
| Massachusetts | 9,930 | $44,240 | $21.27 | |
| Michigan | 8,300 | $44,070 | $21.19 | |
| Minnesota | 6,800 | $36,340 | $17.47 | |
| Mississippi | 1,110 | $29,040 | $13.96 | |
| Missouri | 5,390 | $36,420 | $17.51 | |
| Montana | 620 | $30,380 | $14.61 | |
| Nebraska | 2,150 | $37,890 | $18.22 | |
| Nevada | 1,800 | $26,580 | $12.78 | |
| New Hampshire | 1,860 | $34,140 | $16.42 | |
| New Jersey | 13,960 | $39,370 | $18.93 | |
| New Mexico | 1,120 | $26,280 | $12.63 | |
| New York | 16,650 | $40,330 | $19.39 | |
| North Carolina | 7,780 | $34,880 | $16.77 | |
| North Dakota | 1,010 | $35,630 | $17.13 | |
| Ohio | 14,210 | $31,750 | $15.26 | |
| Oklahoma | 2,290 | $27,630 | $13.28 | |
| Oregon | 2,550 | $32,880 | $15.81 | |
| Pennsylvania | 20,330 | $34,400 | $16.54 | |
| Rhode Island | 1,140 | $32,680 | $15.71 | |
| South Carolina | 3,270 | $29,570 | $14.21 | |
| South Dakota | 880 | $33,870 | $16.28 | |
| Tennessee | 5,630 | $34,540 | $16.60 | |
| Texas | 22,360 | $29,680 | $14.27 | |
| Utah | 3,100 | $28,920 | $13.91 | |
| Vermont | 480 | $28,270 | $13.59 | |
| Virginia | 8,250 | $37,400 | $17.98 | |
| Washington | 6,710 | $43,590 | $20.96 | |
| West Virginia | 1,230 | $30,500 | $14.66 | |
| Wisconsin | 7,040 | $31,970 | $15.37 | |
| Wyoming | 360 | $27,790 | $13.36 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that generally prepares individuals to cut, trim, and style scalp, facial, and body hair; apply cosmetic preparations; perform manicures and pedicures; massage the head and extremities; and prepare for practice as licensed cosmetologists in specialized or full-service salons. Includes instruction in hair cutting and styling, manicuring, pedicuring, facial treatments, shampooing, chemical applications, esthetics, shop management, sanitation and safety, customer service, and applicable professional and labor laws and regulations.
A program that prepares individuals to permanently remove hair from the human scalp, face, and body using specialized charged solid needle probes, and to function as licensed electrologists and electrolysis technicians. Includes instruction in direct current electrolysis, alternating current/high frequency thermolysis, blend/dual modality treatments, equipment theory and operation, safety and sanitation, client evaluation and care, laws and regulations, and business practices.
A program that prepares individuals to professionally apply cosmetic makeup preparations and perform complete and specialized appearance makeovers including hairdressing, wig work, masking, temporary prosthesis applications, cosmetic applications, and related costuming for leisure or for professional stage, camera, clinical, or security purposes. Includes instruction in period and contemporary hairstyling and costuming; wig work and hairpiece application; synthetic hair and masks; cosmetic preparations and treatments; makeup artistry; attachment, removal, and camouflaging of prostheses; health and safety; client consultation and care; pre- and post-production operations; set and crew conduct and relations; script, instruction, and prescription interpretation; labor relations; and business practices.
A program that prepares individuals to shampoo, cut, style, set, and dress the scalp hair of women and/or men, braid hair, apply hair cosmetics and wigs, and prepare for licensure as professional cosmetologists, hairdressers, and barbers at various levels. Includes instruction in hair design theory and concepts, hair cleaning and shampooing, hair coloring, chemical applications and permanent reconstructions, hair anatomy and physiology, scalp diseases and treatments, wig and hairpiece fitting, hair braiding, customer service, shop management, equipment operation, health and safety, and applicable laws and regulations.
A program that prepares cosmetologists, hairstylists, and other personal grooming specialists to manage beauty parlors, shops, and full-service or specialized salons and to prepare for licensure as professional salon owners and operators. Includes instruction in cosmetic services marketing and retailing; advertising and promotion; salon management; the cosmetic and salon supply industries; hiring, supervision, and labor relations; applicable business and professional laws and regulations; professional standards and image; and customer service.
A program that prepares cosmetologists, barbers, stylists, nail technicians, and other grooming specialists to teach their specializations in licensed and accredited schools of cosmetology and barbering, and to prepare for licensure as instructors. Includes instruction in cosmetology arts and sciences teaching principles; student learning styles; professional curricula development; instructional planning; instructional methods and aids; student counseling and career assistance; test development; and classroom/clinic management.
Any instructional program in cosmetology and related personal grooming services not listed above.
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$35,990 per yearNational average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Postsecondary nondegree awardTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
- Less than high school 6%
- High school graduate 44%
- College dropout 32%
- Associate’s degree 11%
- Bachelor’s degree 6%
- Master’s degree 1%
- Doctorate degree 0%
Similar Careers
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Barbers$35,700 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Skincare Specialists$41,700 per year Average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Shampooers$25,160 per year Average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance$124,380 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Manicurists and Pedicurists$30,480 per year Average salaryVery HighJob growth rate