How to hire a Licensed Cosmetologist

How to hire a licensed cosmetologist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step licensed 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 licensed cosmetologist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new licensed cosmetologist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Licensed Cosmetologist do?

Post A Licensed Cosmetologist Job For Free, Promote It For A Fee

Post Free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   The licensed cosmetologist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect licensed cosmetologist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of licensed cosmetologist salaries for various roles:

   Type Of Licensed Cosmetologist	Description	Hourly Rate
   Licensed Cosmetologist	Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling and a range of beauty services.	$11-25
   Beautician	A Beautician is a person whose job is to do hair styling, manicures, and other beauty treatments. They work in various trades of the beauty industry, such as hair, skin, or nail care.	$11-26
   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:

   • Retail Sales
   • Customer Service
   • Product Sales
   • Appointment Scheduling
   • Make-Up
   • Cosmetic Services
   • Front Desk
   • Nail Care
   • Retail Products
   • State Board
   • Wigs
   • Client Appointments
   • Product Knowledge
   • Hair Color

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage beautiful hairstyles with the use of flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, and other hair products.
   • Provide pedicure/manicure, skin care services, and dress wigs.
   • Provide all services - hair stylist, nails, make-up, coloring services, blow-outs, and up-do's.
   • Conduct DYI seminars on make-up application.
   • Maintain hair tools and salon instruments for salon cleanliness and compliance with cosmetology regulations.
   • Assist others hairstylist team members.

   More Licensed Cosmetologist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your licensed cosmetologist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A licensed cosmetologist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, licensed cosmetologists' average salary in new mexico is 53% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level licensed cosmetologists 55% less than senior-level licensed cosmetologists.
   • Certifications. A licensed cosmetologist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a licensed cosmetologist's salary.

   Average licensed cosmetologist salary

   $36,637yearly

   $17.61 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level licensed cosmetologist salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated May 17, 2025

   Average licensed cosmetologist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	New Jersey	$41,801	$20
   2	Vermont	$41,583	$20
   3	Maryland	$40,988	$20
   4	California	$40,489	$19
   5	Virginia	$40,262	$19
   6	Massachusetts	$39,891	$19
   7	Colorado	$39,544	$19
   8	Oregon	$39,253	$19
   9	Iowa	$39,088	$19
   10	Illinois	$38,560	$19
   11	New York	$38,474	$19
   12	Georgia	$38,440	$18
   13	North Carolina	$37,763	$18
   14	Connecticut	$36,975	$18
   15	Florida	$35,236	$17
   16	Texas	$34,366	$17
   17	New Mexico	$24,511	$12

   Average licensed cosmetologist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	The Lash Lounge	$37,210	$17.89	29
   2	Americare Senior Living	$35,867	$17.24	4
   3	Salon & Spa	$35,737	$17.18
   4	Rehab	$35,646	$17.14
   5	Amazing Lash Studio	$35,342	$16.99
   6	Masonic Home of Virginia	$33,046	$15.89
   7	NHS Management, LLC	$31,159	$14.98
   8	Madison Reed	$28,239	$13.58	71

4. Writing a Licensed Cosmetologist Job Description

   A job description for a licensed cosmetologist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a licensed cosmetologist job description:

   Licensed Cosmetologist job description example

   Want to work at America’s best day spa? Ready to do what you love? Ready to make a difference and be an important part of our Team? Come join The Woodhouse Day Spas, voted America’s best day spa in 2012 and 2013 by American Spa Magazine!We are hiring for Full Time and Part Time Nail Technician.At The Woodhouse, we value our team members and strive for excellence with every guest experience.Share with us your unique talents and professionalism and in return, we will train you in “The Woodhouse Way” providing you with the tools, knowledge, and intention that will help you deliver the best guest experience each and every time. We are a company that recognizes, rewards and celebrates with you along the way—as you excel and grow in your talents, opportunity will follow you.The Woodhouse Day Spa is the leader in affordable luxury. The willingness to serve and the ability to deliver are the core of our company’s mantra. We are seeking passion filled, enthusiastic individuals driven by intention and guided by excellence to join our team today. Want to be more than just a number --then you should consider joining the Woodhouse Family today! More specifically, our dashing Nail Technician:

   • Performs exemplary services based on our award winning protocols
   • Fully prepares each and every treatment based on our treatment criteria
   • Explains the benefits of the services performed and makes fabulous home care recommendations
   • Is an avid menu reader and cross sells other Woodhouse services and products
   • Has a trendy professional license meaning it’s current and registered in SC!
   • Is a steward of the Woodhouse brand making sure all treatment areas are prepared to the Woodhouse standards
   • Strives to receive additional continuing education to stay on top of the game!

   Woodhouse Perks include:

   • Competitive Pay and Incentive programs
   • Paid vacations for full time employees
   • Generous discounts and opportunities to enjoy services and products
   • “The Woodhouse Way” paid training program
   • Working in a new state of the art facility
   • Ongoing training opportunities on the Woodhouse University website

   The Woodhouse Day Spa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is a drug free and smoke free workplace.
   
   Why work for Woodhouse?
   -Health benefits (for full-time team members)
   -Competitive pay
   -Busy books
   -Upscale work environment
   -Flexible scheduling
   -Ongoing training
   -Voted Top Workplaces in Times Picayune for four years running
   -Sign-on bonus
   -Full or part time positions available
   
   We are looking for career-minded professionals to join our amazing team! Email us today to discuss this opportunity!Compensation: starting at $19 per hour
   
   At Woodhouse, our treatments curate moods, moments and memories that last well beyond our walls. But mood care isn’t just a service we provide. It’s a lifestyle we live. With a luxury environment, family mindset and ample opportunity for growth, Woodhouse provides a premier spa experience with the wellbeing of our team members in mind. Hone your skills. Grow your customer base. Join the team and feel the difference that providing real lasting care can make in your life today.
   
   Want to be a Master of Mood Care?We are seeking individuals who are passionate about caring for people. If you have outstanding skills in your field, as well as great organizational, communication and retailing skills, we have a spot of you on the Woodhouse team.

   This franchise is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Your application will go directly to the franchisee, and all hiring decisions will be made by the management of this franchisee. All inquiries about employment at this location should be made directly to the franchisee.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find licensed cosmetologists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit licensed cosmetologists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 licensed cosmetologist

   Once you've decided on a perfect licensed cosmetologist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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 licensed cosmetologist?