Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary

The median hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary in the United States is $35,790 per year ($17.21/hour). Salaries range from $27,040 at the entry level to $71,190+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 305,710 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 5.6% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asHairstylistHair StylistHairdresserCosmetologist
Median Salary
$35,790
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.21
per hour
Employment
305,710
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$27,040
25th percentile
$30,120
Median
$35,790
75th percentile
$48,830
90th percentile
$71,190

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+5.6%
Faster than average

Annual Openings

75,800
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Postsecondary nondegree award

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologistss.

Hairdressers, hairstylists + cosmetologists cut + color + style hair for individual clients. Career splits: commission stylist at salon (typical starter role, 40-60% commission), booth renter (rent a chair, keep 100% of revenue minus rent + supplies), salon owner (own the business), specialty stylist (extensions, wedding, curly hair specialist, mens grooming specialist), platform artist / educator (paid brand ambassador). Path: cosmetology school (9-15 months) + state license. Pay varies enormously: entry commission stylists earn $25-40k, mid-career booth renters $50-90k, top-tier stylists in HCOL cities with strong clientele earn $120-250k+. Salon owners can earn $200k-$1M+ depending on size + concept. Real career, real six-figure ceiling, done right.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Cutting techniques (all lengths, all textures)
Precision cutting, razor, thinning, layering. Cutting curly + textured hair well = premium skill.
Color theory + application
Level system, tone theory, formulation. Highlights (balayage, foilyage, traditional foils). Color correction is highest-fee specialty.
Chemistry: perming, relaxing, keratin treatments
Chemical services carry highest liability + expertise premium. Full brand certification unlocks best salons.
Consultation + expectation management
Understanding client want vs. hair reality. Photos + realistic expectation setting. Screens for miscommunication issues.
Client relationship + retention
Rebooking rate + retail attach + retention rate = income lever. Personal connection + consistency.
Business / booth-renter fundamentals
Booking, pricing, taxes (1099), marketing, retail selling. Salon owner skills.
Social media portfolio + marketing
Instagram + TikTok are the modern portfolio. Client acquisition + brand building.
Retail selling
Recommend + sell professional products. 8-15% commission typically. Meaningful income boost.

How to Become a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

  1. 1
    High school diploma or GED
    Some states allow high schoolers to start cosmetology at 16-17 as junior/senior.
  2. 2
    Cosmetology school (1,000-1,800 hours depending on state)
    Community colleges cheaper ($3,000-15,000). Private schools ($10,000-25,000) faster. TN + FL + TX + PA have lowest hour requirements; NY + CA higher.
  3. 3
    Pass state cosmetology board exam
    Written + practical exam. $30-150 fee. Some states have separate barber license (different program).
  4. 4
    Get first salon job as commission stylist or assistant
    New grads: assistant program at high-volume salons (Aveda, Vidal Sassoon, Bumble + Bumble network) provides in-salon training. Or commission stylist at supercuts/franchise chains for volume.
  5. 5
    Build book of business (18-36 months)
    Retain clients through consistent quality + relationship. 100-200 regular clients = full book.
  6. 6
    Move to booth renter or higher-end commission
    Once book is built, booth rental provides higher income. Higher-end salons (FrΓ©dΓ©ric Fekkai, Rossano Ferretti, Bumble network) offer higher commission percentages + client premium.
  7. 7
    Specialize (color specialist, extensions, curly hair, bridal, mens grooming)
    Specialization commands premium prices + creates brand.
  8. 8
    Optional: open own salon
    Ownership path. Requires capital ($40-200k typical build-out) + business skills.

Career Progression

New Stylist / Assistant
0-1 yrs$25-35k Β· Assistant $12-18/hr
  • β€’Assist senior stylists
  • β€’Shampoo, blowouts, basic cuts
  • β€’Building own book
Next: Junior Stylist.
Junior Stylist (Commission)
1-3 yrs$32-52k Β· 40-50% commission + tips
  • β€’Own clients (small book)
  • β€’All service types
  • β€’Retail sales
Next: Mid-Level Stylist.
Mid-Level Stylist (Commission or Booth Rent)
3-7 yrs$50-90k Β· 50-60% commission or booth $150-300/wk
  • β€’Full book (100-200 regulars)
  • β€’Higher-fee color + chemical services
  • β€’Building retail client base
Next: Senior Stylist.
Senior Stylist / Specialist
6-15 yrs$65-140k Β· Higher-tier salons $80-180k Β· HCOL cities $100-220k+
  • β€’Established brand + high-retention book
  • β€’Premium pricing
  • β€’Specialty services (color, bridal, extensions)
Next: Master Stylist or Salon Owner.
Master Stylist / Educator / Platform Artist
10-20+ yrs$90-250k+ Β· Top stylists in NYC/LA $150-350k+
  • β€’Highest-tier clientele
  • β€’Brand + platform education
  • β€’Trade shows + education tours
Next: Own salon or education career.
Salon Owner
10+ yrs$60-500k+ Β· Multi-location $200k-$2M+
  • β€’Own P&L + operations
  • β€’Team management + culture
  • β€’Brand + marketing

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 12 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Tell me about your specialty or signature technique.technical
Concrete: 'Balayage + lived-in color for brunettes.' Or: 'Precision short cuts for women 40+.' Or: 'Curly hair specialty via [certification].' Show a portfolio. Screens for real expertise + brand.
Q2. How do you build client retention?situational
Concrete: Consultation quality + expectations. Consistent execution. Follow-up (24-48 hrs after color). Rebooking at checkout. Personal connection + remembering details. Rebooking rate should be 60%+ for retained stylists.
Q3. Walk me through a color correction consultation.technical
Concrete: History (previous services, box color, over-processed), analyze current color + condition, formulate 3-step plan (may span multiple appointments), realistic expectations + timing + cost, patch test for previously-not-my-client. Never rush.
Q4. Tell me about a client who was unhappy and how you handled it.behavioral
STAR. Real dissatisfaction. Listen fully. Understand specific issue. Offer redo or refund per policy. Never argue in front of other clients. Learning applied. Screens for real customer skills.
Q5. Why our salon specifically?culture
Research: brand philosophy, senior stylist quality, education program, culture, clientele demographic. Not: 'It's close to my apartment.'

Resume Template β€” Mid-Level Stylist (3-6 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Mid-Level Stylist (3-6 yrs)
  • β–ΈSenior Stylist at [Salon]. Full book of 180 active clients with 72% rebooking rate.
  • β–ΈState cosmetology license + Aveda Balayage + Kevin Murphy Style Master certification.
  • β–ΈRetail sales: $32k annual (top 20% of stylists in salon) generating meaningful commission income.
  • β–ΈInstagram portfolio 12.4k followers + regular feature by professional color brands (Redken, L'OrΓ©al Professional).

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Inconsistent execution β€” quality varies between clients.
  • βœ—Poor color theory foundation (weak formulation + toning).
  • βœ—Bad attendance or unreliable scheduling.
  • βœ—Poor booth cleanliness + station organization.
  • βœ—Weak client relationships (low retention + rebooking).
  • βœ—Bad-mouthing other stylists or salons.
  • βœ—Weak retail selling (missing income lever).
  • βœ—Not staying current with trends + techniques.
  • βœ—License lapse or missing continuing education.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Commission split: 40% (new) β†’ 60% (senior) β†’ 65-70% (master).
  • βœ“Product cost split (some salons deduct 8-12% for color; others absorb).
  • βœ“Retail commission (8-15% typical).
  • βœ“Rebooking + retention bonuses.
  • βœ“Assistant support (senior stylists at high-end salons get shared assistant).
  • βœ“Education budget (advanced classes, brand training, hair shows).
  • βœ“Booth rental rate vs commission comparison at your income level.
  • βœ“Chair location within salon (front-window vs back).
  • βœ“Retail buy-in support for booth renters.
  • βœ“Guest artist opportunities + platform work.

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologistss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

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Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 12 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 10 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
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  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
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Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$26K
$60Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

Washington
$60K
+66%
Oregon
$58K
+61%
District of Columbia
$55K
+52%
South Dakota
$50K
+39%
Vermont
$49K
+36%
Connecticut
$45K
+25%
Maine
$44K
+23%
Minnesota
$39K
+9%
California
$39K
+8%
North Carolina
$38K
+7%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
Washington$59,510+66.3%
Oregon$57,580+60.9%
District of Columbia$54,570+52.5%
South Dakota$49,800+39.1%
Vermont$48,650+35.9%
Connecticut$44,620+24.7%
Maine$44,000+22.9%
Minnesota$39,170+9.4%
California$38,660+8.0%
North Carolina$38,410+7.3%
1–10 of 50

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Corvallis, OR$61,880+72.9%
Bellingham, WA$61,820+72.7%
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA$61,440+71.7%
Kahului-Wailuku, HI$60,710+69.6%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$59,810+67.1%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$59,610+66.6%
Burlington-South Burlington, VT$58,740+64.1%
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA$58,150+62.5%
Bend, OR$51,640+44.3%
Salem, OR$50,960+42.4%
1–10 of 351
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earning $35,790/year would need 1665 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1788 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary trend (2011–2024) β†’