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Colorist salary
Average colorist salary
$16.73
Understanding Colorist Salaries
A colorist plays a vital role in enhancing the aesthetics of clients by applying hair color, developing trends, and using various coloring techniques. According to recent data, the average colorist salary stands at $34,792 annually, or $17 per hour. However, these figures can vary widely based on location, experience, and the industry in which colorists are employed.
For instance, colorists in states like California and New York often report higher earnings compared to their counterparts in other regions. Additionally, factors such as years of experience can significantly influence salary; seasoned professionals typically command higher wages. Colorists working in high-end salons or the film and television industry may also see increased compensation.
Exploring job opportunities in these lucrative markets can be beneficial for aspiring colorists. As the demand for skilled professionals in beauty and entertainment continues to grow, now is an excellent time to pursue a career in this field.
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Where can a Colorist earn more?
Colorist salary estimates from across the web
Average colorist salary by state
The average colorist salary in New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average colorist salary states are Kansas, Nevada, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for colorists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $43,573 | $20.95 |
| 2 | Michigan | $37,825 | $18.19 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $37,357 | $17.96 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $44,799 | $21.54 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $38,014 | $18.28 |
| 6 | Washington | $42,629 | $20.49 |
| 7 | Indiana | $34,783 | $16.72 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $41,097 | $19.76 |
| 9 | Ohio | $34,546 | $16.61 |
| 10 | Vermont | $40,429 | $19.44 |
| 11 | New York | $43,587 | $20.96 |
| 12 | Montana | $40,057 | $19.26 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $38,682 | $18.60 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $40,904 | $19.67 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $39,172 | $18.83 |
| 16 | California | $41,959 | $20.17 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $36,199 | $17.40 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $38,723 | $18.62 |
| 19 | Iowa | $34,507 | $16.59 |
| 20 | Maryland | $42,566 | $20.46 |
| 21 | Virginia | $40,767 | $19.60 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $35,079 | $16.86 |
| 23 | Florida | $34,329 | $16.50 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $35,451 | $17.04 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $34,153 | $16.42 |
| 26 | Arizona | $33,031 | $15.88 |
| 27 | Illinois | $34,903 | $16.78 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $33,881 | $16.29 |
| 29 | Missouri | $33,208 | $15.97 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $33,232 | $15.98 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $40,228 | $19.34 |
| 32 | Alabama | $31,933 | $15.35 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $30,886 | $14.85 |
| 34 | Delaware | $33,009 | $15.87 |
| 35 | Texas | $32,025 | $15.40 |
| 36 | Utah | $30,817 | $14.82 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $31,663 | $15.22 |
| 38 | Colorado | $33,294 | $16.01 |
| 39 | Alaska | $34,162 | $16.42 |
| 40 | Maine | $32,412 | $15.58 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $28,516 | $13.71 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $27,195 | $13.07 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $28,242 | $13.58 |
| 44 | Idaho | $30,511 | $14.67 |
| 45 | Oregon | $31,695 | $15.24 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $28,418 | $13.66 |
| 47 | Kansas | $27,729 | $13.33 |
| 48 | Nevada | $27,680 | $13.31 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $25,043 | $12.04 |
| 50 | Georgia | $26,053 | $12.53 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $22,056 | $10.60 |
Highest paying cities for colorists
The highest-paying cities for colorists are New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, and Richmond, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $43,904 | $21.11 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $42,206 | $20.29 |
| 3 | Richmond, VA | $40,478 | $19.46 |
| 4 | Warren, MI | $37,874 | $18.21 |
| 5 | Fort Myers, FL | $34,537 | $16.60 |
| 6 | Gilbert, AZ | $33,014 | $15.87 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $26,033 | $12.52 |
Colorist salary details
A colorist's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a colorist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $34,792 | $2,899 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying colorist jobs
The highest paying types of colorists are cosmetician, electrologist, and hair 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 |
| Hair Stylist | $38,221 | $3,185 | $18.38 | 49,578 |
| Licensed Cosmetologist | $36,637 | $3,053 | $17.61 | 52,740 |
| Stylist | $37,985 | $3,165 | $18.26 | 49,296 |
| Cosmetologist | $37,122 | $3,094 | $17.85 | 45,889 |
Which companies pay colorists the most?
Colorist salaries at Adobe and Amcor are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average colorist salary at companies like Duplitech and AAG Management Inc are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adobe | $110,240 | $53.00 |
| 2 | Amcor | $42,484 | $20.43 |
| 3 | Duplitech | $37,705 | $18.13 |
| 4 | AAG Management Inc | $37,335 | $17.95 |
| 5 | The Walt Disney Company | $37,178 | $17.87 |
| 6 | Singer Sewing | $31,691 | $15.24 |
| 7 | Chico Hot Springs | $30,589 | $14.71 |
| 8 | Automation Personnel Services | $29,658 | $14.26 |
| 9 | Harbor Picture Company | $29,008 | $13.95 |
| 10 | Chico's FAS | $27,121 | $13.04 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Colorist salary by industry
The average colorist salary varies across industries:
- The average colorist salary in the media industry is $38,234, the highest of any industry.
- The average colorist salary in the finance industry is $35,680.
- Colorists in the health care industry earn an average salary of $27,941, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for colorists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media | $38,234 | $18.38 |
| 2 | Retail | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $34,844 | $16.75 |
| 4 | Professional | $34,046 | $16.37 |
| 5 | Health Care | $27,941 | $13.43 |
High paying colorist jobs
Colorist salary trends
The average colorist salary has risen by $6,112 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average colorist earned $28,680 annually, but today, they earn $34,792 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for colorists over the last decade.
Compare colorist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average colorist salary over time
Compare colorist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Colorist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,800 | $16.73 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $33,200 | $15.94 | +5.2% |
| 2023 | $31,400 | $15.11 | -0.5% |
| 2022 | $31,600 | $15.18 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $30,800 | $14.82 | +2.5% |
Recently added colorist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study Select | Colourist | Ione, WA | 02/16/2025 | $45,000 |
| Liftgammagain | ISO Colorist In LOS Angeles for 16-Min. Romantic Comedy | Edina, MN | 02/16/2025 | $31,305 |
| The Perfect Cut | Hairstylist/Colorist | Carlsbad, CA | 01/08/2025 | $62,610 |
| IHL Group | Colorist | New York, NY | 01/06/2025 | $65,000 |
| Skechers | Temp Colorist-Apparel | Manhattan Beach, CA | 11/25/2024 | $48,001 |
| Fabletics | Colorist | El Segundo, CA | 11/25/2024 | $68,640 |
| IHL Group | Colorist | New York, NY | 10/22/2024 | $65,000 |
| Nflcareers | Colorist | Mount Laurel, NJ | 10/16/2024 | $104,350 |
| National Football League | Colorist Mount Laurel, New Jersey, United States | Mount Laurel, NJ | 10/10/2024 | $104,350 |
| Estee Lauder | Bb.Salon Downtown Colorist | New York, NY | 09/12/2024 | $31,305 |
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