Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in the U.S.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in the U.S. earn a median of $35,790 a year ($17.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 305,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,190 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $43,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| 25th percentile | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Median | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| 75th percentile | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,190 | $34.23 |
| Average (mean) | $43,960 | $21.13 |
Half of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,982.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,491.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,376.54 |
| Weekly | $688.27 |
| Hourly | $17.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,510 | 6,930 |
| Oregon | $57,580 | 1,860 |
| District of Columbia | $54,570 | 870 |
| South Dakota | $49,800 | 690 |
| Vermont | $48,650 | 440 |
| Connecticut | $44,620 | 4,090 |
| Maine | $44,000 | 970 |
| Minnesota | $39,170 | 5,320 |
| California | $38,660 | 27,080 |
| North Carolina | $38,410 | 8,490 |
| Montana | $38,000 | 690 |
| New Mexico | $37,750 | 1,230 |
| Colorado | $37,690 | 6,820 |
| Massachusetts | $37,290 | 9,600 |
| Arizona | $36,810 | 7,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,790 | 19,350 |
| Maryland | $36,420 | 5,860 |
| Ohio | $36,260 | 12,890 |
| Wisconsin | $36,230 | 6,260 |
| New Jersey | $36,150 | 15,500 |
| New York | $35,760 | 20,740 |
| Iowa | $35,700 | 2,930 |
| Idaho | $35,480 | 2,250 |
| Utah | $35,140 | 2,810 |
| Hawaii | $35,040 | 930 |
| North Dakota | $34,850 | 870 |
| Michigan | $34,820 | 8,970 |
| New Hampshire | $34,650 | 1,950 |
| Georgia | $34,560 | 7,910 |
| West Virginia | $34,480 | 1,020 |
| Delaware | $34,350 | 1,270 |
| Nebraska | $34,320 | 1,890 |
| Illinois | $34,040 | 13,190 |
| Nevada | $33,840 | 1,940 |
| South Carolina | $33,700 | 3,570 |
| Indiana | $32,830 | 5,920 |
| Alaska | $32,150 | 330 |
| Tennessee | $31,310 | 6,080 |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 | 1,470 |
| Missouri | $30,750 | 5,430 |
| Texas | $30,680 | 22,440 |
| Kentucky | $29,840 | 2,350 |
| Kansas | $29,710 | 2,190 |
| Oklahoma | $29,650 | 1,920 |
| Florida | $29,530 | 23,530 |
| Guam | $29,500 | 170 |
| Wyoming | $29,170 | 360 |
| Alabama | $29,150 | 3,300 |
| Arkansas | $28,830 | 1,410 |
| Mississippi | $27,560 | 1,040 |
| Louisiana | $26,030 | 2,720 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,090 | 960 |
Best-paying metro areas for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Corvallis, OR | $61,880 | 120 |
| Bellingham, WA | $61,820 | 160 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $61,440 | 570 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $60,710 | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $59,810 | 4,510 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $59,610 | 1,500 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $58,740 | 220 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $58,150 | 200 |
| Bend, OR | $51,640 | 80 |
| Salem, OR | $50,960 | 130 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,500 | 320 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $49,840 | 290 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $49,640 | 250 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $49,570 | 180 |
| Medford, OR | $49,480 | 120 |
Metro areas with the most hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 27,660 | $36,120 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 12,000 | $34,260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 10,910 | $43,500 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 9,960 | $37,320 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 7,870 | $37,430 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 7,010 | $37,020 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 6,630 | $33,960 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 6,440 | $36,810 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 5,760 | $34,640 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 5,480 | $31,080 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 4,910 | $29,790 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 4,790 | $34,960 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 4,540 | $29,520 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 4,510 | $59,810 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 4,190 | $38,100 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Barber | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Shampooer | $32,600 | $15.67 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $97,150 | $46.71 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,560 | $23.34 |
| Residential Advisor | $42,240 | $20.31 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-5012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in the U.S.?
The median salary for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the U.S. is $35,790 a year, or $17.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the U.S. earn at least $71,190 a year. The top 25% earn $48,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,040 a year, and a quarter of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $30,120 or less.
How many hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work in the U.S.?
About 305,710 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.