How to hire a cosmetologist

How to hire a cosmetologist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step cosmetologist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a cosmetologist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new cosmetologist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a cosmetologist do?

Post a cosmetologist job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the cosmetologist you need to hire. Certain cosmetologist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a cosmetologist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a cosmetologist that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of cosmetologists.

   Type of Cosmetologist	Description	Hourly rate
   Cosmetologist	Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling and a range of beauty services.	$12-25
   Nail Technician	Nail technicians are beauty specialists that provide grooming services to a client's fingernails and toenails. They are trained proficiently in filling, cleaning, and grooming as well as various nail treatments... Show more	$8-25
   Hair Dresser	A hairdresser, also known as a hairstylist or beautician, is a person who specializes in the cutting or styling of hair with the goal of enhancing a person's appearance. As a hairdresser, your duties may range from cutting, washing, and styling to hair coloring and employing hair texturing techniques... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • TIP
   • Customer Service
   • Retail Sales
   • Spa Services
   • Hair Color
   • Clips
   • Make-Up
   • Appointment Scheduling
   • Front Desk
   • Cosmetic Services
   • Product Knowledge
   • Wigs
   • Nail Care
   • Hair Removal

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
   • Provide basic nail care service, sculpture nail and tip applications, oil and water pedicures
   • Apply sculptured nails, tip overlays, overlays, wraps, gel nails, manicures, and pedicures.
   • Used POS systems and software to track clients personal profiles.
   • Skil and master numerous techniques in the coloring field of cosmetology.
   • Present new products and selling products to customers using a pos system

   More cosmetologist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cosmetologist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A cosmetologist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a cosmetologist in Kentucky may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level cosmetologist usually earns less than a senior-level cosmetologist. Additionally, a cosmetologist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average cosmetologist salary

   $37,122yearly

   $17.85 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level cosmetologist salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 18, 2026

   Average cosmetologist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$45,439	$22
   2	New York	$42,524	$20
   3	Wisconsin	$41,831	$20
   4	Maryland	$41,383	$20
   5	California	$40,967	$20
   6	Illinois	$39,968	$19
   7	Colorado	$39,846	$19
   8	Michigan	$38,631	$19
   9	South Carolina	$38,216	$18
   10	Virginia	$37,841	$18
   11	Ohio	$37,381	$18
   12	Pennsylvania	$37,379	$18
   13	Arizona	$37,042	$18
   14	Florida	$36,009	$17
   15	New Hampshire	$33,844	$16
   16	Nevada	$32,266	$16
   17	Texas	$31,865	$15
   18	Oklahoma	$30,843	$15

   Average cosmetologist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Anthony	$43,398	$20.86
   2	Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino	$41,669	$20.03
   3	Treasure Island Resort & Casino	$41,319	$19.86	5
   4	Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited	$40,986	$19.70
   5	WTS International	$39,752	$19.11
   6	Breckenridge Grand Vacations	$38,061	$18.30
   7	Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest	$37,294	$17.93
   8	Sanford Health	$36,557	$17.58
   9	Benchmark Group	$36,305	$17.45
   10	Sea Island	$36,282	$17.44
   11	The Good Samaritan Society	$35,995	$17.31
   12	State Of Montana	$35,947	$17.28
   13	Remote	$35,906	$17.26
   14	The Gents Place	$35,892	$17.26
   15	Salon & Spa	$35,884	$17.25
   16	Sanford-Good Samaritan Community Health	$35,852	$17.24
   17	OneSpaWorld	$35,852	$17.24	17
   18	XpresSpa	$35,803	$17.21	6
   19	SPORTCLIPS	$35,707	$17.17
   20	Aimbridge Hospitality	$35,483	$17.06

4. Writing a cosmetologist job description

   A good cosmetologist job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a cosmetologist job description:

   Cosmetologist job description example

   The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection, synonymous with extraordinary service since 1892, invites you to join a new level of luxury Downtown Denver hotels. Home to a collection of 241 distinct guestrooms and suites, the hotel also boasts six unique restaurants and bars, a boutique spa and nearly 20,000 square feet of meeting space, making the Brown Palace as appropriate for an adventurous jetsetter as it is for a corporate-minded CEO.
   
   In addition to being a part of one of the most historic hotels in Denver, team members will enjoy many additional perks of working at the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. These perks include discounted RTD Eco Pass, free employee meals, discounts on services/F&B at the hotel and Friends and Family hotel room discounts. Come learn more about joining our team!
   
   Don't meet every single requirement of this job? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At HEI we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still send in your information. You may be the perfect candidate for this or for other roles within our organization!
   We value U.S. military experience and invite all qualified military candidates to apply.
   
   Provide guests with treatments as advertised by the spa and excellent guest service to support the property as well as the brand positioning.
   
   + Perform scheduled appointments and services in accordance with policies and procedures and brand standards
   
   + Stock and ensure cleanliness of spa rooms and equipment
   
   + Provide high level of guest service at all times to all guest of the spa
   
   + Comply with attendance rules and be available to work on a regular basis.
   
   + Adhere to all company policies and procedures
   
   + Perform any other job related duties as assigned.
   
   Pay Rate: $12.85/hr + commission
   
   + Ability to stand, bend and perform duties required for specific modalitties
   
   + Ability to stand and move throughout spa and continuously perform essential job functions.
   
   + Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to adapt communication style to suit different audiences, such as effectively communicating with supervisors, coworkers, public etc.
   
   + Should have knowledge of anatomy and physiology
   
   + Must possess at least 500 hours of hands on experience
   
   + Must provide reputable school certification
   
   HEI Hotels and Resorts is committed to providing a comprehensive benefit program that offers you choices for your physical, mental and financial wellness, creating value in your most important investment - you!
   
   For your physical and mental wellness we offer competitive Medical and Dental programs through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as well as Vision insurance programs through EyeMed. Our Vacation, Sick and Holiday programs are available for you to rejuvenate with time off. For your financial wellness, HEI provides a wide array of coverage, including Supplemental, Spousal and Child Life insurance as well as Short and Long-Term Disability plans. Our 401(k) Savings Plan with matching funds, and discounts through our 'YouDecide' and Hotel Room Discount programs provide additional incentives for choosing HEI as the employer of your future. Specific details and eligibility of these programs vary by location and employment status. Our property provides an employee dining room for a free meal during your work shift.
   
   Work today, get paid today! We proudly partner with DailyPay, a voluntary benefit that allows our associates access to their earnings when they want them.
   
   HEI Hotels and Resorts is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
   
   
   FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
   
   Street: 321 17th Street
   
   Location Description: The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection, synonymous with extraordinary service since 1892, invites you to join a new level of luxury Downtown Denver hotels. Home to a collection of 241 distinct guestrooms and suites, the hotel also boasts six unique restaurants and bars, a boutique spa and nearly 20,000 square feet of meeting space, making the Brown Palace as appropriate for an adventurous jetsetter as it is for a corporate-minded CEO.
   
   In addition to being a part of one of the most historic hotels in Denver, team members will enjoy many additional perks of working at the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. These perks include discounted RTD Eco Pass, free employee meals, discounts on services/F&B at the hotel and Friends and Family hotel room discounts. Come learn more about joining our team!
   
   Don't meet every single requirement of this job? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At HEI we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still send in your information. You may be the perfect candidate for this or for other roles within our organization!
   
   We value U.S. military experience and invite all qualified military candidates to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right cosmetologist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with cosmetologists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit cosmetologists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your cosmetologist job on Zippia to find and recruit cosmetologist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting cosmetologists requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new cosmetologist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the cosmetologist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new cosmetologist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a cosmetologist?