Research Summary. After thorough analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled important insights into stylist salaries across the United States as of 2026:
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Washington boasts the highest stylist salary at $52,126
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New Mexico offers the lowest stylist salary at $24,985
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The national average salary for stylists stands at $37,985
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The national hourly wage for stylists is $18.26
For an in-depth look at our methodology, click here.
Background
Salary remains a crucial factor for job seekers, consistently ranking as the top priority in surveys across various demographics. Many individuals inquire, “How much do stylists earn in my area?”
Numerous factors influence individual earnings, but reliable data is available on average salaries for stylists by state, categorized by experience level. While your local salary might vary from the state average, these figures provide a good baseline for your expectations.
As of 2026, Washington continues to lead with the highest stylist salary.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for stylist salaries:
Let’s delve into the full ranking of states and the specific data that informs these averages.
Highest-Paid Stylists By State
| Rank | State | Average Stylist Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $52,126 | $42,000 | $64,000 |
| 2 | Montana | $47,785 | $37,000 | $60,000 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $47,575 | $38,000 | $59,000 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $46,340 | $34,000 | $63,000 |
| 5 | Colorado | $46,088 | $34,000 | $61,000 |
| 6 | California | $45,463 | $33,000 | $62,000 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $44,898 | $34,000 | $58,000 |
| 8 | Vermont | $44,452 | $33,000 | $58,000 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $43,870 | $32,000 | $59,000 |
| 10 | Illinois | $42,990 | $32,000 | $57,000 |
| 11 | New York | $42,434 | $31,000 | $58,000 |
| 12 | South Dakota | $42,131 | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| 13 | Alaska | $42,050 | $38,000 | $46,000 |
| 14 | Maryland | $41,762 | $30,000 | $57,000 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $41,094 | $31,000 | $53,000 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $40,324 | $30,000 | $53,000 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $40,265 | $29,000 | $55,000 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $39,687 | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| 19 | Iowa | $39,577 | $29,000 | $52,000 |
| 20 | Oregon | $39,469 | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $38,718 | $28,000 | $52,000 |
| 22 | Michigan | $38,680 | $28,000 | $51,000 |
| 23 | Missouri | $38,350 | $28,000 | $51,000 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $38,216 | $28,000 | $52,000 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $37,922 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 26 | Virginia | $37,793 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 27 | Idaho | $37,612 | $29,000 | $48,000 |
| 28 | Utah | $37,585 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 29 | Arizona | $37,206 | $26,000 | $51,000 |
| 30 | Florida | $36,699 | $26,000 | $50,000 |
| 31 | Indiana | $36,186 | $26,000 | $48,000 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $36,066 | $30,000 | $43,000 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $35,263 | $26,000 | $47,000 |
| 34 | Maine | $35,175 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 35 | Alabama | $34,841 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $34,482 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 37 | Ohio | $34,470 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $34,419 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | $33,960 | $24,000 | $46,000 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $33,819 | $24,000 | $46,000 |
| 41 | Kansas | $32,417 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $32,398 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 43 | Texas | $32,335 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 44 | Nevada | $32,045 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $31,669 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 46 | Delaware | $31,653 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $31,080 | $22,000 | $42,000 |
| 48 | Georgia | $30,250 | $21,000 | $41,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $28,399 | $20,000 | $38,000 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $24,985 | $18,000 | $34,000 |
Methodology: Stylist Salary By State
To gain a comprehensive understanding of stylist salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reputable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. We complement this with actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average to determine the average stylist salary per state.
Using these average annual salary figures, we ranked each state based on stylist salaries, with the highest salary indicating the top rank.
Stylist Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for stylists?
The highest-paid state for stylists is Washington, with an average salary of $52,126 per year.
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What city pays stylists the most?
Denver, CO, offers the highest average salary for stylists at $46,195 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for stylists?
The lowest-paying state for stylists is New Mexico, with an average salary of $24,985 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
