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Hair stylist salary
Average hair stylist salary
$38,221
Understanding Hair Stylist Salaries
The average salary for a hair stylist in the United States is approximately $38,221 per year or around $18 per hour. These figures can fluctuate based on several factors including geographic location, level of experience, and the specific industry in which a stylist works.
Highest Paying States
States like California, New York, and Florida often offer higher salaries for hair stylists due to the cost of living and demand for services. For instance, California's competitive market may yield salaries upwards of $50,000 annually for experienced professionals.
Experience Matters
Experience plays a significant role in determining a hair stylist's salary. Entry-level positions often start lower, while seasoned stylists with established clientele can command much higher wages. Additionally, hair stylists with specialized skills, such as color correction or advanced cutting techniques, may earn more than their peers.
Industries that Pay
Hair stylists can find lucrative opportunities in diverse environments including upscale salons, spas, and film or television productions. Understanding these dynamics helps aspiring professionals set realistic salary expectations and explore career paths that align with their goals.
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Where can a Hair Stylist earn more?
Hair stylist salary estimates from across the web
Average hair stylist salary by state
The average hair stylist salary in Washington, Montana, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average hair stylist salary states are Kentucky, Delaware, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for hair stylists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $46,744 | $22.47 |
| 2 | Washington | $53,087 | $25.52 |
| 3 | Colorado | $46,877 | $22.54 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $40,483 | $19.46 |
| 5 | Michigan | $39,343 | $18.91 |
| 6 | Montana | $48,748 | $23.44 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| 8 | Illinois | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $42,948 | $20.65 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $45,886 | $22.06 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $41,822 | $20.11 |
| 12 | Iowa | $40,158 | $19.31 |
| 13 | Vermont | $44,497 | $21.39 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $40,934 | $19.68 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $43,721 | $21.02 |
| 16 | California | $45,908 | $22.07 |
| 17 | Missouri | $38,783 | $18.65 |
| 18 | Indiana | $36,576 | $17.58 |
| 19 | Arizona | $37,536 | $18.05 |
| 20 | Utah | $38,249 | $18.39 |
| 21 | New York | $42,729 | $20.54 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $38,688 | $18.60 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| 24 | Ohio | $34,861 | $16.76 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $40,493 | $19.47 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $34,732 | $16.70 |
| 27 | Florida | $36,845 | $17.71 |
| 28 | Connecticut | $38,407 | $18.46 |
| 29 | Idaho | $38,388 | $18.46 |
| 30 | Oregon | $40,203 | $19.33 |
| 31 | Alaska | $42,382 | $20.38 |
| 32 | Alabama | $35,118 | $16.88 |
| 33 | Maryland | $41,966 | $20.18 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $34,178 | $16.43 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | $35,099 | $16.87 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $36,959 | $17.77 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $34,868 | $16.76 |
| 38 | District of Columbia | $40,228 | $19.34 |
| 39 | Virginia | $38,007 | $18.27 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $33,931 | $16.31 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $31,943 | $15.36 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $31,498 | $15.14 |
| 43 | Nevada | $32,504 | $15.63 |
| 44 | Kansas | $32,824 | $15.78 |
| 45 | Maine | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $32,735 | $15.74 |
| 47 | Texas | $32,725 | $15.73 |
| 48 | Delaware | $31,822 | $15.30 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $28,709 | $13.80 |
| 50 | Georgia | $30,424 | $14.63 |
| 51 | New Mexico | $25,325 | $12.18 |
Highest paying cities for hair stylists
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale, AZ | $37,596 | $18.07 |
Hair Stylists are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Hair stylist salary details
A hair stylist's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $53,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a hair stylist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| Average | $38,221 | $3,185 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying hair stylist jobs
The highest paying types of hair stylists are cosmetician, stylist, and hair designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Worker | $31,284 | $2,607 | $15.04 | 136,963 |
| Beautician | $36,831 | $3,069 | $17.71 | 42,691 |
| Nail Technician | $30,503 | $2,542 | $14.66 | 9,115 |
| Direct Support Professional | $32,077 | $2,673 | $15.42 | 142,034 |
| Cosmetologist | $37,122 | $3,094 | $17.85 | 45,889 |
| Licensed Cosmetologist | $36,637 | $3,053 | $17.61 | 52,740 |
Top companies hiring hair stylists now:
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Hair Stylist salary by industry
The average hair stylist salary varies across industries:
- The average hair stylist salary in the health care industry is $39,653, the highest of any industry.
- The average hair stylist salary in the finance industry is $37,750.
- Hair stylists in the retail industry earn an average salary of $32,675, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for hair stylists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health Care | $39,653 | $19.06 |
| 2 | Media | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| 3 | Professional | $36,594 | $17.59 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $36,198 | $17.40 |
| 5 | Retail | $32,675 | $15.71 |
High paying hair stylist jobs
Hair stylist salary trends
The average hair stylist salary has risen by $6,715 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average hair stylist earned $31,506 annually, but today, they earn $38,221 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for hair stylists over the last decade.
Compare hair stylist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average hair stylist salary over time
Compare hair stylist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Hair stylist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,200 | $18.38 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | $36,400 | $17.51 | +5.2% |
| 2023 | $34,500 | $16.60 | -0.5% |
| 2022 | $34,700 | $16.68 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $33,900 | $16.28 | +2.5% |
Recently added hair stylist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Clips | Hair Stylist-Madison Street Commons | Clarksville, TN | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Great Clips | Hair Stylist-Ballantyne Town Center | Charlotte, NC | 06/30/2025 | $25,044 |
| Great Clips | Hair Stylist | Owatonna, MN | 06/30/2025 | $31,305 |
| Great Clips | Great Clips Hair Stylist | Pittsburgh, PA | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Great Clips | Hair Stylist-Lewiston Center Mall | Lewiston, ID | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Great Clips | Hair Stylist | Portland, OR | 06/30/2025 | $45,914 |
| Great Clips | Hair Stylist | Searcy, AR | 06/30/2025 | $31,305 |
| Great Clips | Great Clips Hair Stylist | Cincinnati, OH | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Great Clips | Great Clips Hair Stylist | Denver, CO | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Great Clips | Hair Stylist-Crest Center | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
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