Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn a median $35,790 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$35,790
$17.21 per hour
Range
$27,040 – $71,190
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
305,710
across the U.S.
▲1.5%
Pay trend: The median for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the U.S. rose from $35,250 (May 2024) to $35,790 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.9%.
What hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists do
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.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.7% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 73,400
- Self-employed
- 48%
Employment of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 73,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$30,937
per year · effective tax rate 13.6%
$2,578Monthly
$1,289Twice a month
$1,190Every 2 weeks
$14.87Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,115
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,219
- Medicare (1.45%)$519
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,937
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 | $23,877 |
| 25th percentile | $30,120 | $14.48 | $26,381 |
| Median (50th) | $35,790 | $17.21 | $30,937 |
| 75th percentile | $48,830 | $23.48 | $41,415 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,190 | $34.23 | $58,912 |
Best cities for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $59,810 | $50,237 | $45,205 | 4,510 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $46,310 | $37,731 | $35,995 | 3,920 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $38,100 | $31,624 | $33,404 | 4,190 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $36,790 | $31,511 | $33,041 | 2,540 |
| 5 | Charlotte, NC | $38,530 | $32,110 | $32,985 | 2,940 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $35,640 | $30,619 | $32,600 | 3,070 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $36,260 | $31,100 | $32,576 | 2,420 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $43,500 | $35,837 | $31,556 | 10,910 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $35,220 | $30,479 | $31,080 | 2,800 |
| 10 | Nashville, TN | $34,430 | $29,845 | $30,979 | 2,770 |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | $42,400 | $35,012 | $30,284 | 3,370 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $37,320 | $31,021 | $30,248 | 9,960 |
| 13 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,810 | $31,045 | $30,049 | 6,440 |
| 14 | St. Louis, MO | $33,350 | $28,347 | $29,811 | 2,830 |
| 15 | Denver, CO | $36,530 | $30,633 | $28,959 | 4,150 |
| 16 | Detroit, MI | $34,960 | $29,035 | $28,949 | 4,790 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $34,640 | $28,838 | $28,822 | 5,760 |
| 18 | Baltimore, MD | $36,370 | $30,039 | $28,749 | 2,700 |
| 19 | Dallas, TX | $33,960 | $29,467 | $28,584 | 6,630 |
| 20 | Washington, DC | $37,020 | $30,870 | $28,352 | 7,010 |
| 21 | Boston, MA | $37,430 | $30,604 | $28,267 | 7,870 |
| 22 | San Diego, CA | $37,290 | $31,177 | $27,865 | 2,870 |
| 23 | Houston, TX | $31,080 | $27,153 | $27,530 | 5,480 |
| 24 | Chicago, IL | $34,260 | $28,157 | $27,180 | 12,000 |
| 25 | New York, NY | $36,120 | $29,849 | $26,518 | 27,660 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Seattle, WA — $59,810
- Minneapolis, MN — $46,310
- Los Angeles, CA — $43,500
- San Francisco, CA — $42,400
- Charlotte, NC — $38,530
- Pittsburgh, PA — $38,100
- Boston, MA — $37,430
- Philadelphia, PA — $37,320
- San Diego, CA — $37,290
- Washington, DC — $37,020
- Phoenix, AZ — $36,810
- Cincinnati, OH — $36,790
- Denver, CO — $36,530
- Baltimore, MD — $36,370
- Columbus, OH — $36,260
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,510 | +1.0% | $49,996 | $36,830 – $99,970 | 6,930 |
| Oregon | $57,580 | +61.0% | $44,237 | $34,880 – $76,810 | 1,860 |
| District of Columbia | $54,570 | +13.5% | $43,919 | $36,400 – $130,950 | 870 |
| South Dakota | $49,800 | +1.5% | $42,194 | $32,090 – $61,900 | 690 |
| Vermont | $48,650 | −2.0% | $40,074 | $30,960 – $80,530 | 440 |
| Connecticut | $44,620 | +20.4% | $36,949 | $34,010 – $72,620 | 4,090 |
| Maine | $44,000 | −9.2% | $35,746 | $30,640 – $63,640 | 970 |
| Minnesota | $39,170 | −8.6% | $32,376 | $23,590 – $78,880 | 5,320 |
| California | $38,660 | −1.8% | $32,205 | $35,360 – $68,640 | 27,080 |
| North Carolina | $38,410 | +6.3% | $32,019 | $26,880 – $61,530 | 8,490 |
| Montana | $38,000 | −0.6% | $31,684 | $22,160 – $75,440 | 690 |
| New Mexico | $37,750 | +34.1% | $31,856 | $27,190 – $52,560 | 1,230 |
| Colorado | $37,690 | −13.7% | $31,514 | $31,520 – $98,860 | 6,820 |
| Massachusetts | $37,290 | −21.9% | $30,498 | $31,600 – $79,330 | 9,600 |
| Arizona | $36,810 | +4.5% | $31,045 | $31,050 – $57,790 | 7,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,790 | +24.0% | $30,611 | $23,700 – $68,750 | 19,350 |
| Maryland | $36,420 | −0.1% | $30,077 | $31,830 – $72,940 | 5,860 |
| Ohio | $36,260 | +23.2% | $31,100 | $23,520 – $77,330 | 12,890 |
| Wisconsin | $36,230 | −0.9% | $30,478 | $23,790 – $58,970 | 6,260 |
| New Jersey | $36,150 | −18.0% | $30,679 | $32,220 – $92,090 | 15,500 |
| New York | $35,760 | +5.3% | $29,579 | $33,960 – $88,540 | 20,740 |
| Iowa | $35,700 | −5.7% | $30,160 | $26,650 – $56,250 | 2,930 |
| Idaho | $35,480 | +4.9% | $29,916 | $22,810 – $48,000 | 2,250 |
| Utah | $35,140 | +0.5% | $29,800 | $21,810 – $75,860 | 2,810 |
| Hawaii | $35,040 | −32.6% | $29,102 | $29,120 – $73,820 | 930 |
| North Dakota | $34,850 | +2.9% | $30,182 | $24,130 – $77,800 | 870 |
| Michigan | $34,820 | −2.5% | $28,929 | $25,960 – $95,370 | 8,970 |
| New Hampshire | $34,650 | −17.5% | $30,021 | $25,720 – $58,210 | 1,950 |
| Georgia | $34,560 | +12.2% | $28,778 | $17,310 – $79,170 | 7,910 |
| West Virginia | $34,480 | +10.7% | $28,970 | $23,580 – $60,300 | 1,020 |
| Delaware | $34,350 | +10.9% | $28,551 | $31,200 – $75,950 | 1,270 |
| Nebraska | $34,320 | −12.4% | $29,074 | $28,080 – $73,740 | 1,890 |
| Illinois | $34,040 | −2.2% | $27,991 | $31,200 – $58,960 | 13,190 |
| Nevada | $33,840 | +14.0% | $29,370 | $26,160 – $64,300 | 1,940 |
| South Carolina | $33,700 | +15.7% | $28,393 | $21,340 – $77,430 | 3,570 |
| Indiana | $32,830 | +4.3% | $27,620 | $23,890 – $58,620 | 5,920 |
| Alaska | $32,150 | −28.1% | $28,013 | $30,900 – $55,850 | 330 |
| Tennessee | $31,310 | +7.3% | $27,338 | $25,700 – $58,000 | 6,080 |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 | +2.3% | $26,696 | $31,200 – $38,630 | 1,470 |
| Missouri | $30,750 | +1.2% | $26,380 | $28,600 – $58,530 | 5,430 |
| Texas | $30,680 | +8.1% | $26,831 | $23,580 – $59,730 | 22,440 |
| Kentucky | $29,840 | −7.2% | $25,230 | $22,580 – $76,170 | 2,350 |
| Kansas | $29,710 | −14.5% | $25,171 | $21,910 – $77,790 | 2,190 |
| Oklahoma | $29,650 | −3.4% | $25,215 | $18,980 – $60,390 | 1,920 |
| Florida | $29,530 | −0.8% | $25,907 | $27,450 – $58,320 | 23,530 |
| Wyoming | $29,170 | −10.0% | $25,618 | $18,150 – $56,640 | 360 |
| Alabama | $29,150 | −1.7% | $24,410 | $21,300 – $56,700 | 3,300 |
| Arkansas | $28,830 | +9.0% | $24,433 | $23,920 – $49,990 | 1,410 |
| Mississippi | $27,560 | −2.8% | $23,935 | $17,370 – $58,790 | 1,040 |
| Louisiana | $26,030 | +10.9% | $22,651 | $21,590 – $33,900 | 2,720 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barber | $38,210 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.3% |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +9.2% |
| Shampooer | $32,600 | No formal educational credential | +5.6% |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +8.8% |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $97,150 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.1% |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.1% |
| Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $36,300 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $36,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Recreation Worker | $36,560 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make?
The national median salary for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is $35,790 a year ($17.21 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,040 and the top 10% earn over $71,190. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $59,510. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are there in the U.S.?
About 305,710 people work as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists nationwide.
All 28 cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Houston, TX
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Washington, DC