Best cities for a cosmetologist
The best cities for cosmetologists are Madison, WI, Minneapolis, MN, and Indianapolis, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for cosmetologists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for cosmetologists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a cosmetologist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for cosmetologists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for cosmetologists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a cosmetologist. While the absolute best city for cosmetologists is Madison, WI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for cosmetologists in 2024.
If you're looking for a cosmetologist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for cosmetologists in 2025
1. Madison, WI
Total cosmetologist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $41,831 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $55,000 Location quotient: 1.06 2. Minneapolis, MN
Total cosmetologist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $44,856 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $58,000 Location quotient: 1.02 3. Indianapolis, IN
Total cosmetologist jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $38,266 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 0.73 4. Saint Louis, MO
Total cosmetologist jobs: 15 Average annual salary: $38,121 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 4.51 5. Lincoln, NE
Total cosmetologist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $40,023 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Glendale, AZ
Total cosmetologist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $37,033 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 3.48 7. Fort Wayne, IN
Total cosmetologist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,563 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $52,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Pittsburgh, PA
Total cosmetologist jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $37,379 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.63 9. Omaha, NE
Total cosmetologist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $40,164 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Detroit, MI
Total cosmetologist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,278 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $51,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for cosmetologists
- Madison, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Indianapolis, IN
- Saint Louis, MO
- Lincoln, NE
- Glendale, AZ
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Omaha, NE
- Detroit, MI
- (2 cosmetologist jobs)
- (4 cosmetologist jobs)
- (3 cosmetologist jobs)
- (15 cosmetologist jobs)
- (0 cosmetologist jobs)
- (1 cosmetologist jobs)
- (0 cosmetologist jobs)
- (2 cosmetologist jobs)
- (0 cosmetologist jobs)
- (0 cosmetologist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a cosmetologist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison, WI | $41,831 | $31,000 | 252,551 | 2 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,856 | $34,000 | 413,651 | 4 |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $38,266 | $27,000 | 855,164 | 3 |
| 4 | Saint Louis, MO | $38,121 | $27,000 | 311,404 | 15 |
| 5 | Lincoln, NE | $40,023 | $29,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 6 | Glendale, AZ | $37,033 | $26,000 | 245,895 | 1 |
| 7 | Fort Wayne, IN | $38,563 | $28,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $37,379 | $27,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 9 | Omaha, NE | $40,164 | $30,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $38,278 | $28,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $52,088 | $42,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 12 | Toledo, OH | $37,636 | $27,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 13 | Cincinnati, OH | $37,042 | $26,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 14 | Saint Paul, MN | $44,840 | $34,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 15 | Milwaukee, WI | $41,717 | $31,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 16 | Cleveland, OH | $37,370 | $27,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 17 | Columbus, OH | $37,149 | $27,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 18 | Chicago, IL | $39,897 | $29,000 | 2,704,958 | 4 |
| 19 | Scottsdale, AZ | $37,030 | $26,000 | 246,645 | 1 |
| 20 | Chandler, AZ | $37,025 | $26,000 | 247,477 | 1 |
| 21 | Aurora, CO | $39,850 | $29,000 | 361,710 | 2 |
| 22 | Durham, NC | $37,978 | $26,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 23 | Winston-Salem, NC | $38,078 | $27,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 24 | Raleigh, NC | $37,936 | $26,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 25 | Greensboro, NC | $38,045 | $27,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 26 | Philadelphia, PA | $36,604 | $26,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 27 | Charlotte, NC | $38,006 | $27,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 28 | Kansas City, MO | $38,347 | $28,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 29 | Boston, MA | $42,122 | $30,000 | 673,184 | 1 |
| 30 | Denver, CO | $39,871 | $29,000 | 693,060 | 5 |
| 31 | Tucson, AZ | $37,044 | $26,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 32 | Anchorage, AK | $41,579 | $37,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 33 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,032 | $26,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 34 | Orlando, FL | $35,816 | $25,000 | 277,173 | 17 |
| 35 | Colorado Springs, CO | $39,511 | $29,000 | 465,101 | 1 |
| 36 | Louisville, KY | $31,583 | $22,000 | 597,337 | 4 |
| 37 | Gilbert, AZ | $37,023 | $26,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 38 | Mesa, AZ | $37,022 | $26,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 39 | Nashville, TN | $34,420 | $24,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 40 | Buffalo, NY | $43,050 | $31,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 41 | New York, NY | $41,669 | $29,000 | 8,537,673 | 4 |
| 42 | Memphis, TN | $34,301 | $24,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 43 | Portland, OR | $39,637 | $31,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 44 | Hempstead, NY | $41,556 | $29,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 45 | Baltimore, MD | $41,370 | $29,000 | 614,664 | 1 |
| 46 | Oyster Bay, NY | $41,483 | $29,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 47 | Islip, NY | $41,376 | $29,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 48 | Brookhaven, NY | $41,240 | $29,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 49 | Anaheim, CA | $40,145 | $28,000 | 351,043 | 15 |
| 50 | Newark, NJ | $39,575 | $28,000 | 281,764 | - |
Highest paying cities for cosmetologists
| Rank | City | Avg. cosmetologist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duluth, MN | $45,439 |
| 2 | Rochester, NY | $42,524 |
| 3 | Madison, WI | $41,831 |
| 4 | Catonsville, MD | $41,383 |
| 5 | Fairfield, CA | $40,967 |
| 6 | Schaumburg, IL | $39,968 |
| 7 | Lakewood, CO | $39,846 |
| 8 | Kentwood, MI | $38,631 |
| 9 | Greenville, SC | $38,216 |
| 10 | Arlington, VA | $37,841 |
| 11 | Lakewood, OH | $37,381 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $37,379 |
| 13 | Peoria, AZ | $37,042 |
| 14 | Palm Coast, FL | $36,009 |
| 15 | Salem, NH | $33,844 |
| 16 | Reno, NV | $32,266 |
| 17 | Odessa, TX | $31,865 |
| 18 | Edmond, OK | $30,843 |
Cosmetologist best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025