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Job outlook for colorists in the United States
Colorist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected colorist job growth rate is 11% from 2018-2028.
About 65,000 new jobs for colorists are projected over the next decade.
Colorist salaries have increased 13% for colorists in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,543 colorists currently employed in the United States.
There are 42,160 active colorist job openings in the US.
The average colorist salary is $34,792.
Are colorist jobs in demand?
Colorist job and salary trends over time
Colorist jobs over time
Colorist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,543 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,747 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,782 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,674 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,360 | 0.00% |
Average colorist salary over time
Colorist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,792 | $16.73 | +4.9% |
| 2025 | $33,153 | $15.94 | +5.5% |
| 2024 | $31,425 | $15.11 | --0.5% |
| 2023 | $31,577 | $15.18 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $30,828 | $14.82 | +2.5% |
Colorist jobs by state
Most common states for colorists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 457 | 7% |
| 2 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 579 | 6% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 79 | 6% |
| 4 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 548 | 5% |
| 5 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 333 | 5% |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 311 | 5% |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 199 | 5% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 153 | 5% |
| 9 | Delaware | 961,939 | 51 | 5% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 529 | 4% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 271 | 4% |
| 12 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 249 | 4% |
| 13 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 188 | 4% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 177 | 4% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 131 | 4% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 86 | 4% |
| 17 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 71 | 4% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 46 | 4% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 37 | 4% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 21 | 4% |
Most common cities for colorists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Torrance | 1 | 1% | $41,985 |
| 2 | New York | 1 | 0% | $43,904 |
| 3 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $42,206 |
Colorist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of colorist experts
Skyline College
What general advice would you give to a Colorist?
Lynsey Hemstreet: Trends change quickly in the cosmetology industry, so follow some industry pros on social media for inspiration and education. Clients will ask about new services like brow lamination or micro-extensions, and you can add new services to your menu just as soon as you can get trained. In the cosmetology industry, soft skills like communication, professionalism and customer service are always in demand. If those are your weak spots, consider taking some classes on public speaking and business. Also, don't be afraid to embrace technology. Convenience is a major selling point in this industry, and learning how to use appointment management apps can help your clients book easily and quickly.
What Colorist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lynsey Hemstreet: Don't sell yourself short! Respect the time and energy you spent going to school and honing your craft and charge what you are worth. Resist the temptation to give discounts, promotions or free services to friends and family. Have faith that people will pay you what you're worth.