Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Make?
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn a median annual salary of $35,250 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $24,580 at the 10th percentile to $70,220 at the 90th percentile — a range of $45,640. The highest-paying state is Washington at $58,920.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,580 |
| 25th percentile | $29,060 |
| Median (50th) | $35,250 |
| 75th percentile | $48,300 |
| 90th percentile | $70,220 |
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $58,920 |
| Hawaii | $52,000 |
| Vermont | $49,640 |
| South Dakota | $49,050 |
| Maine | $48,480 |
| District of Columbia | $48,060 |
| Massachusetts | $47,740 |
| Alaska | $44,700 |
| New Jersey | $44,110 |
| Colorado | $43,680 |
| Minnesota | $42,850 |
| New Hampshire | $42,000 |
| California | $39,370 |
| Nebraska | $39,190 |
| Montana | $38,230 |
| Iowa | $37,850 |
| Virginia | $37,850 |
| Connecticut | $37,070 |
| Wisconsin | $36,550 |
| Maryland | $36,440 |
| North Carolina | $36,140 |
| Oregon | $35,760 |
| Michigan | $35,720 |
| Arizona | $35,220 |
| Utah | $34,960 |
| Illinois | $34,800 |
| Kansas | $34,740 |
| New York | $33,960 |
| North Dakota | $33,870 |
| Idaho | $33,820 |
| Wyoming | $32,400 |
| Kentucky | $32,170 |
| Indiana | $31,480 |
| West Virginia | $31,150 |
| Delaware | $30,980 |
| Georgia | $30,790 |
| Oklahoma | $30,680 |
| Rhode Island | $30,510 |
| Missouri | $30,390 |
| Florida | $29,760 |
| Nevada | $29,690 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,680 |
| Alabama | $29,660 |
| Ohio | $29,440 |
| Tennessee | $29,170 |
| South Carolina | $29,120 |
| Texas | $28,370 |
| Mississippi | $28,360 |
| New Mexico | $28,150 |
| Arkansas | $26,450 |
| Louisiana | $23,470 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$24,580 – $29,060 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$35,250 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,300 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $70,220+ |
How to Earn More as a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA earn $60,770 — $25,520 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,300) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistthis career | $35,250 |
| Spa Manager | $61,340 |
| Fashion Designer | $80,690 |
| Floral Designer | $36,120 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,560 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologist requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 39-5012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.