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These Are The 10 Best Cities For Stylists

By Chris Kolmar
Dec. 18, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Feb. 3, 2026

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As you embark on your journey in the stylist profession, understanding which cities offer the best opportunities is crucial for your long-term career success. Regional variations can significantly influence your earning potential and job availability in the field of stylists.

At Zippia, we analyzed various U.S. cities to identify those that provide stylists with the most favorable career prospects. Our research highlights cities where stylists earn competitive salaries relative to the cost of living, and where job openings are abundant.

Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we compiled a list of the top cities for stylists, balancing pay and job availability. Here’s our list of the best cities to build your career as a stylist:

  1. Springfield, IL
  2. Tacoma, WA
  3. Ocean City, NJ
  4. Longview, WA
  5. Walla Walla, WA
  6. Weirton, WV
  7. Rapid City, SD
  8. The Villages, FL
  9. Cleveland, OH
  10. Corvallis, OR

Springfield, IL, emerges as the top city for stylists, offering excellent opportunities for career growth and financial stability.

Conversely, if you’re a stylist, it may be wise to steer clear of cities like Hickory, NC.

Continue reading for insights into our research methodology and a closer look at the top ten cities for stylists.

How We Identified the Best Cities for Stylists




At Zippia, we engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds seeking job opportunities. Our research reveals two primary factors that job seekers prioritize:

  • Job availability
  • Compensation

To determine the best cities for stylists in the U.S., we assessed where job openings are concentrated and the salary ranges for stylists. We based our analysis on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics:

  • Location quotient: A metric indicating how prevalent a job is in a specific city.
  • Average annual salary.
  • Average entry-level salary.

We adjusted salary figures to account for the cost of living in each state, ensuring a fair comparison across cities.

This analysis covered 373 metropolitan areas, simplifying the primary metro area to its city name—for instance, the “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” is referred to as Boston.

Each city was ranked from 1 to 373 based on the criteria, with the city achieving the lowest overall score being designated as the best for stylists in America.

Now, let’s delve into the highlights of each city that makes them exceptional for stylists.

1. Springfield, IL

Total Jobs: 550
Average Annual Salary: $40,600
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,190
Location Quotient: 2.03

2. Tacoma, WA

Total Jobs: 1,260
Average Annual Salary: $37,830
Average Entry Level Salary: $22,190
Location Quotient: 1.8

3. Ocean City, NJ

Total Jobs: 240
Average Annual Salary: $35,850
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,060
Location Quotient: 2.39

4. Longview, WA

Total Jobs: 140
Average Annual Salary: $33,560
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,320
Location Quotient: 1.54

5. Walla Walla, WA

Total Jobs: 90
Average Annual Salary: $32,060
Average Entry Level Salary: $24,290
Location Quotient: 1.42

6. Weirton, WV

Total Jobs: 170
Average Annual Salary: $27,680
Average Entry Level Salary: $17,330
Location Quotient: 1.67

7. Rapid City, SD

Total Jobs: 220
Average Annual Salary: $29,730
Average Entry Level Salary: $18,940
Location Quotient: 1.37

8. The Villages, FL

Total Jobs: 150
Average Annual Salary: $30,370
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,300
Location Quotient: 2.42

9. Cleveland, OH

Total Jobs: 3,830
Average Annual Salary: $29,060
Average Entry Level Salary: $18,080
Location Quotient: 1.49

10. Corvallis, OR

Total Jobs: 160
Average Annual Salary: $31,090
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,520
Location Quotient: 1.82

And That’s Our List of the Best Cities for Stylists

If you’re aspiring to start your career as a stylist, these cities should be at the top of your list. They offer competitive pay, job availability, and opportunities for advancement.

On the other hand, here are some cities that may not be the best for stylists:

  1. Hickory, NC
  2. Goldsboro, NC
  3. Rocky Mount, NC

Detailed List of the Best Cities for Stylists

Rank State Average Salary Entry Level Salary # Of People
1 Springfield, IL $40,600 $21,190 550
2 Tacoma, WA $37,830 $22,190 1,260
3 Ocean City, NJ $35,850 $21,060 240
4 Longview, WA $33,560 $21,320 140
5 Walla Walla, WA $32,060 $24,290 90
6 Weirton, WV $27,680 $17,330 170
7 Rapid City, SD $29,730 $18,940 220
8 The Villages, FL $30,370 $20,300 150
9 Cleveland, OH $29,060 $18,080 3,830
10 Corvallis, OR $31,090 $19,520 160
11 Naples, FL $35,960 $19,030 520
12 Fargo, ND $29,520 $17,980 480
13 Bremerton, WA $36,270 $22,340 230
14 Omaha, NE $31,920 $17,690 1,670
15 Cape Coral, FL $33,010 $18,710 1,130
16 Bismarck, ND $29,610 $17,820 240
17 Seattle, WA $41,210 $21,550 4,010
18 Atlantic City, NJ $33,660 $22,540 400
19 Cape Girardeau, MO $31,380 $17,880 110
20 Grand Forks, ND $31,080 $17,260 160
21 Johnstown, PA $31,110 $17,870 230
22 Bellingham, WA $31,620 $21,260 230
23 Springfield, MO $27,920 $16,780 780
24 Sioux Falls, SD $31,400 $21,000 330
25 Homosassa Springs, FL $31,390 $18,600 130
26 Terre Haute, IN $28,080 $19,800 180
27 Montgomery County, PA $30,400 $17,300 5,640
28 Akron, OH $23,780 $17,490 1,670
29 Cheyenne, WY $32,660 $17,700 120
30 Wheeling, WV $24,190 $17,710 240
31 Olympia, WA $27,110 $20,880 390
32 Warren, MI $28,330 $17,720 4,630
33 St. Joseph, MO $25,640 $17,220 200
34 Mansfield, OH $23,570 $17,470 240
35 Casper, WY $28,730 $18,030 120
36 Columbia, MO $27,360 $16,720 310
37 West Palm Beach, FL $33,360 $17,940 2,320
38 Pocatello, ID $29,830 $17,140 80
39 Canton, OH $25,070 $17,540 540
40 Framingham, MA $40,800 $21,130 490
41 Lawrence, KS $30,530 $16,560 180
42 Cincinnati, OH $24,960 $17,420 3,510
43 Wilmington, DE $32,720 $18,260 1,410
44 Austin, TX $32,750 $16,980 2,700
45 Kalamazoo, MI $30,830 $17,800 360
46 Charleston, WV $29,630 $17,380 240
47 Great Falls, MT $33,720 $18,160 70
48 Montgomery, AL $26,690 $16,740 500
49 Mount Vernon, WA $34,020 $22,560 90
50 Lima, OH $22,970 $17,340 230
51 Billings, MT $32,660 $19,640 150
52 Fayetteville, AR $24,700 $17,100 620
53 Hilton Head Island, SC $26,460 $17,730 190
54 Muskegon, MI $28,350 $18,270 170
55 Des Moines, IA $34,150 $17,250 900
56 Bloomsburg, PA $31,920 $21,550 80
57 Lynn, MA $45,800 $19,600 200
58 Columbus, OH $24,570 $17,490 3,060
59 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY $26,810 $16,630 1,300
60 Kansas City, MO $27,790 $16,640 2,730
61 Nashville, TN $29,980 $16,680 2,290
62 Medford, OR $33,630 $19,720 160
63 Memphis, TN $31,830 $17,370 1,220
64 North Port, FL $30,380 $17,940 1,110
65 Spokane, WA $34,200 $21,730 350
66 Eau Claire, WI $29,050 $17,430 400
67 St. Louis, MO $26,770 $17,410 3,230
68 Lexington, KY $24,890 $17,080 600
69 Lake County, IL $29,810 $17,920 1,800
70 Huntsville, AL $30,690 $16,890 430
71 Kennewick, WA $28,660 $21,450 240
72 Reading, PA $29,520 $16,810 750
73 Vineland, NJ $32,750 $18,770 450
74 Boulder, CO $36,700 $18,160 540
75 Johnson City, TN $24,110 $16,470 400
76 Charleston, SC $32,260 $16,810 650
77 Midland, MI $29,780 $17,990 80
78 Philadelphia, PA $27,980 $18,160 2,500
79 Fairbanks, AK $53,290 $23,990 30
80 Burlington, VT $33,600 $19,410 230
81 Palm Bay, FL $28,220 $18,160 800
82 Grand Rapids, MI $29,400 $17,840 1,170
83 Bay City, MI $30,400 $17,570 80
84 Abilene, TX $28,560 $17,350 170
85 Columbus, GA $29,480 $17,430 250
86 St. George, UT $27,060 $18,700 120
87 Gettysburg, PA $27,100 $18,220 90
88 Morgantown, WV $22,910 $17,170 180
89 Camden, NJ $32,750 $18,660 2,510
90 Dayton, OH $22,280 $17,380 1,290
91 Iowa City, IA $29,930 $17,140 230
92 Chattanooga, TN $30,900 $16,780 480
93 Boise City, ID $27,510 $16,360 680
94 South Bend, IN $23,170 $16,920 530
95 Sumter, SC $30,840 $16,530 70
96 Minneapolis, MN $28,870 $17,810 7,370
97 Midland, TX $31,560 $20,050 100
98 Trenton, NJ $32,990 $19,640 590
99 Newark, NJ $35,880 $19,330 2,920
100 Little Rock, AR $26,570 $16,740 650
Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.

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