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Licensed cosmetologist salary
Average licensed cosmetologist salary
$36,637
Understanding Licensed Cosmetologist Salaries
A Licensed Cosmetologist typically earns an average salary of $36,637 annually. However, this figure can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographical location and years of experience. For instance, cosmetologists in states like California and New York often report higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for services.
As you gain experience and specialize in areas such as hair styling, skincare, or makeup artistry, your earning potential may increase. Additionally, working in upscale salons or spas can lead to higher pay compared to standard establishments.
Job Opportunities and Growth
The beauty industry is diverse, offering numerous career paths. Positions like salon manager or makeup artist can provide lucrative opportunities. Understanding the salary landscape and exploring job opportunities in various sectors can help you make informed decisions about your career in cosmetology.
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Where can a Licensed Cosmetologist earn more?
Licensed cosmetologist salary estimates from across the web
Average licensed cosmetologist salary by state
The highest-paying states for licensed cosmetologists are Washington, Montana, and North Dakota. The lowest average licensed cosmetologist salary states are Nevada, Kentucky, and Delaware.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for licensed cosmetologists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $51,841 | $24.92 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $44,633 | $21.46 |
| 3 | Montana | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $41,620 | $20.01 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $45,616 | $21.93 |
| 6 | Nebraska | $39,882 | $19.17 |
| 7 | Iowa | $39,098 | $18.80 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $47,514 | $22.84 |
| 9 | Michigan | $38,112 | $18.32 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $40,612 | $19.52 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $41,814 | $20.10 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $37,749 | $18.15 |
| 13 | Missouri | $37,828 | $18.19 |
| 14 | Vermont | $41,705 | $20.05 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $41,823 | $20.11 |
| 16 | Colorado | $39,476 | $18.98 |
| 17 | Alaska | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $36,946 | $17.76 |
| 19 | Illinois | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 20 | Indiana | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| 21 | Oregon | $38,992 | $18.75 |
| 22 | California | $39,713 | $19.09 |
| 23 | Idaho | $37,178 | $17.87 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $40,014 | $19.24 |
| 25 | Arizona | $36,418 | $17.51 |
| 26 | Ohio | $36,896 | $17.74 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $37,854 | $18.20 |
| 28 | Georgia | $38,393 | $18.46 |
| 29 | Utah | $37,015 | $17.80 |
| 30 | Virginia | $40,081 | $19.27 |
| 31 | Maryland | $40,907 | $19.67 |
| 32 | Alabama | $34,714 | $16.69 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $36,389 | $17.49 |
| 34 | Texas | $34,207 | $16.45 |
| 35 | New York | $38,772 | $18.64 |
| 36 | District of Columbia | $38,932 | $18.72 |
| 37 | Kansas | $31,983 | $15.38 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $34,038 | $16.36 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $34,852 | $16.76 |
| 40 | Florida | $35,514 | $17.07 |
| 41 | Connecticut | $36,714 | $17.65 |
| 42 | Delaware | $31,026 | $14.92 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $34,315 | $16.50 |
| 44 | Nevada | $31,467 | $15.13 |
| 45 | New Hampshire | $33,314 | $16.02 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $31,251 | $15.02 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $32,351 | $15.55 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| 49 | Maine | $33,108 | $15.92 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $24,495 | $11.78 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $27,983 | $13.45 |
Highest paying cities for licensed cosmetologists
The highest-paying cities for licensed cosmetologists are Montclair, NJ, Burlington, VT, and Rockville, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montclair, NJ | $41,801 | $20.10 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $41,583 | $19.99 |
| 3 | Rockville, MD | $40,988 | $19.71 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $40,489 | $19.47 |
| 5 | Reston, VA | $40,262 | $19.36 |
| 6 | Somerville, MA | $39,891 | $19.18 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $39,544 | $19.01 |
| 8 | Hillsboro, OR | $39,253 | $18.87 |
| 9 | Des Moines, IA | $39,088 | $18.79 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 11 | Huntington, NY | $38,474 | $18.50 |
| 12 | Marietta, GA | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| 13 | Charlotte, NC | $37,763 | $18.16 |
| 14 | Westport, CT | $36,975 | $17.78 |
| 15 | Boca Raton, FL | $35,236 | $16.94 |
| 16 | Plano, TX | $34,366 | $16.52 |
| 17 | Albuquerque, NM | $24,511 | $11.78 |
Licensed cosmetologist salary details
A licensed cosmetologist's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $53,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a licensed cosmetologist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $36,637 | $3,053 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying licensed cosmetologist jobs
The highest paying types of licensed cosmetologists are cosmetician, hair stylist, and stylist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beautician | $36,831 | $3,069 | $17.71 | 42,691 |
| Hair Dresser | $36,852 | $3,071 | $17.72 | 42,777 |
| Stylist | $37,985 | $3,165 | $18.26 | 49,296 |
| Hair Stylist | $38,221 | $3,185 | $18.38 | 49,578 |
| Cosmetologist | $37,122 | $3,094 | $17.85 | 45,889 |
Top companies hiring licensed cosmetologists now:
Which companies pay licensed cosmetologists the most?
Licensed cosmetologist salaries at The Lash Lounge and Americare Senior Living are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average licensed cosmetologist salary at companies like Salon & Spa and Rehab are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lash Lounge | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| 2 | Americare Senior Living | $35,867 | $17.24 |
| 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 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Licensed Cosmetologist salary by industry
The average licensed cosmetologist salary varies across industries:
- The average licensed cosmetologist salary in the education industry is $37,827, the highest of any industry.
- The average licensed cosmetologist salary in the finance industry is $35,373.
- Licensed cosmetologists in the retail industry earn an average salary of $31,499, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for licensed cosmetologists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $37,827 | $18.19 |
| 2 | Professional | $35,373 | $17.01 |
| 3 | Health Care | $35,337 | $16.99 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $33,867 | $16.28 |
| 5 | Retail | $31,499 | $15.14 |
High paying licensed cosmetologist jobs
Licensed cosmetologist salary trends
The average licensed cosmetologist salary has risen by $6,436 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average licensed cosmetologist earned $30,201 annually, but today, they earn $36,637 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for licensed cosmetologists over the last decade.
Compare licensed cosmetologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average licensed cosmetologist salary over time
Compare licensed cosmetologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Licensed cosmetologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $36,600 | $17.61 | +4.7% |
| 2025 | $34,900 | $16.78 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $33,100 | $15.91 | -0.5% |
| 2023 | $33,300 | $15.99 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $32,500 | $15.61 | +2.5% |
Recently added licensed cosmetologist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Wax Center | Licensed Cosmetologist or Esthetician! | Houston, TX | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Hair Color Bar | Assistant Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | Los Angeles, CA | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Hair Color Bar | Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | Fairfax, VA | 06/29/2025 | $77,219 |
| Hair Color Bar | Assistant Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | New York, NY | 06/29/2025 | $42,784 |
| Madison Reed | Assistant Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | Los Angeles, CA | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| European Wax Center | Licensed Cosmetologist or Esthetician-EWC Alexandria Commons! | Alexandria, VA | 06/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Hair Color Bar | Assistant Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | Hillsboro, OR | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Madison Reed Hair Color Bar | Assistant Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | Los Angeles, CA | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Hair Color Bar | Assistant Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | Kirkland, WA | 06/27/2025 | $45,914 |
| Madison Reed | Assistant Colorist, Licensed Cosmetologist | Huntington Station, NY | 06/25/2025 | $42,784 |
Licensed cosmetologist salary FAQs
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