Research Summary. In a comprehensive analysis conducted by the Zippia data science team, we have detailed the hair stylist salaries by state in the United States for 2026:
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Washington remains the state with the highest hair stylist salary, averaging $53,087 annually.
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New Mexico has the lowest hair stylist salary at $25,325.
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The national average salary for hair stylists is $38,221.
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The national hourly pay for hair stylists is $18.38.
For more details about the methodology used in this research, you can read the specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains a crucial factor for job seekers, consistently ranking as the most important aspect of employment across various demographics. Potential hair stylists often ask, “How much do hair stylists earn in my area?” Understanding local salary trends is essential, especially as the industry evolves and adapts to changing economic conditions.
While individual salaries may vary based on experience and location, we provide a clear overview of average salaries for hair stylists by state, considering seniority levels. This information will help you gauge what to expect in terms of compensation.
Washington stands out as the state offering the best salary for hair stylists in 2026.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for hair stylist salaries:
Let’s explore how these rankings were determined and provide a complete overview of salaries across all states.
Highest-Paid Hair Stylists By State
| Rank | State | Average Hair Stylist Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $53,087 | $43,000 | $64,000 |
| 2 | Montana | $48,748 | $39,000 | $60,000 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $48,420 | $39,000 | $59,000 |
| 4 | Colorado | $46,877 | $35,000 | $62,000 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $46,744 | $34,000 | $63,000 |
| 6 | California | $45,908 | $33,000 | $62,000 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $45,886 | $35,000 | $58,000 |
| 8 | Vermont | $44,497 | $34,000 | $57,000 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $43,721 | $32,000 | $58,000 |
| 10 | Illinois | $43,620 | $32,000 | $57,000 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $42,948 | $33,000 | $55,000 |
| 12 | New York | $42,729 | $31,000 | $58,000 |
| 13 | Alaska | $42,382 | $38,000 | $46,000 |
| 14 | Maryland | $41,966 | $30,000 | $57,000 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $41,822 | $32,000 | $54,000 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $40,934 | $30,000 | $54,000 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $40,493 | $29,000 | $55,000 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $40,483 | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| 19 | Oregon | $40,203 | $31,000 | $50,000 |
| 20 | Iowa | $40,158 | $30,000 | $53,000 |
| 21 | Michigan | $39,343 | $29,000 | $52,000 |
| 22 | Missouri | $38,783 | $28,000 | $52,000 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $38,688 | $28,000 | $52,000 |
| 24 | Connecticut | $38,407 | $28,000 | $52,000 |
| 25 | Idaho | $38,388 | $30,000 | $49,000 |
| 26 | Utah | $38,249 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $38,120 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 28 | Virginia | $38,007 | $27,000 | $52,000 |
| 29 | Arizona | $37,536 | $27,000 | $51,000 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $36,959 | $31,000 | $43,000 |
| 31 | Florida | $36,845 | $26,000 | $50,000 |
| 32 | Indiana | $36,576 | $27,000 | $49,000 |
| 33 | Alabama | $35,118 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 34 | New Hampshire | $35,099 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 35 | Maine | $34,910 | $26,000 | $45,000 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $34,868 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 37 | Ohio | $34,861 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $34,732 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | $34,178 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $33,931 | $24,000 | $46,000 |
| 41 | Kansas | $32,824 | $24,000 | $44,000 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $32,735 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 43 | Texas | $32,725 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 44 | Nevada | $32,504 | $24,000 | $43,000 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $31,943 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 46 | Delaware | $31,822 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $31,498 | $23,000 | $42,000 |
| 48 | Georgia | $30,424 | $22,000 | $42,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $28,709 | $21,000 | $39,000 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $25,325 | $18,000 | $34,000 |
Methodology: Hair Stylist Salary By State
This analysis of hair stylist salaries by state is based on aggregated data from various sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. We supplement this data with actual salaries listed in job postings. The Zippia data science team then calculates a weighted average of these inputs to determine the average pay for hair stylists in each state.
We ranked each state based on the average annual salary for hair stylists, identifying the state with the highest average salary.
Hair Stylist Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for hair stylists?
The highest-paid state for hair stylists is Washington, with an average salary of $53,087 per year.
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What city pays hair stylists the most?
Scottsdale, AZ offers the highest pay for hair stylists, averaging $37,596 per year.
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What is the worst state for hair stylists?
The lowest-paying state for hair stylists is New Mexico, with an average salary of $25,325 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.
