Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the United States was $35,790 ($17.21 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| 25th | $30,120 | $14.48 |
| Median | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| 75th | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| 90th | $71,190 | $34.23 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 39-5012
- Total U.S. employment: 305,710
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
At $17.21 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $35,797 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $35,790.
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $27,040, median pay is $35,790, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $71,190.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,150 | $14.02 | -18.6% | 3,300 |
| Alaska | $32,150 | $15.46 | -10.2% | 330 |
| Arizona | $36,810 | $17.70 | +2.8% | 7,840 |
| Arkansas | $28,830 | $13.86 | -19.4% | 1,410 |
| California | $38,660 | $18.59 | +8.0% | 27,080 |
| Colorado | $37,690 | $18.12 | +5.3% | 6,820 |
| Connecticut | $44,620 | $21.45 | +24.7% | 4,090 |
| Delaware | $34,350 | $16.51 | -4.0% | 1,270 |
| District of Columbia | $54,570 | $26.23 | +52.5% | 870 |
| Florida | $29,530 | $14.20 | -17.5% | 23,530 |
| Georgia | $34,560 | $16.62 | -3.4% | 7,910 |
| Hawaii | $35,040 | $16.85 | -2.1% | 930 |
| Idaho | $35,480 | $17.06 | -0.9% | 2,250 |
| Illinois | $34,040 | $16.37 | -4.9% | 13,190 |
| Indiana | $32,830 | $15.78 | -8.3% | 5,920 |
| Iowa | $35,700 | $17.17 | -0.3% | 2,930 |
| Kansas | $29,710 | $14.28 | -17.0% | 2,190 |
| Kentucky | $29,840 | $14.35 | -16.6% | 2,350 |
| Louisiana | $26,030 | $12.51 | -27.3% | 2,720 |
| Maine | $44,000 | $21.16 | +22.9% | 970 |
| Maryland | $36,420 | $17.51 | +1.8% | 5,860 |
| Massachusetts | $37,290 | $17.93 | +4.2% | 9,600 |
| Michigan | $34,820 | $16.74 | -2.7% | 8,970 |
| Minnesota | $39,170 | $18.83 | +9.4% | 5,320 |
| Mississippi | $27,560 | $13.25 | -23.0% | 1,040 |
| Missouri | $30,750 | $14.78 | -14.1% | 5,430 |
| Montana | $38,000 | $18.27 | +6.2% | 690 |
| Nebraska | $34,320 | $16.50 | -4.1% | 1,890 |
| Nevada | $33,840 | $16.27 | -5.4% | 1,940 |
| New Hampshire | $34,650 | $16.66 | -3.2% | 1,950 |
| New Jersey | $36,150 | $17.38 | +1.0% | 15,500 |
| New Mexico | $37,750 | $18.15 | +5.5% | 1,230 |
| New York | $35,760 | $17.19 | -0.1% | 20,740 |
| North Carolina | $38,410 | $18.47 | +7.3% | 8,490 |
| North Dakota | $34,850 | $16.76 | -2.6% | 870 |
| Ohio | $36,260 | $17.43 | +1.3% | 12,890 |
| Oklahoma | $29,650 | $14.26 | -17.2% | 1,920 |
| Oregon | $57,580 | $27.68 | +60.9% | 1,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,790 | $17.69 | +2.8% | 19,350 |
| Rhode Island | $31,200 | $15.00 | -12.8% | 1,470 |
| South Carolina | $33,700 | $16.20 | -5.8% | 3,570 |
| South Dakota | $49,800 | $23.94 | +39.1% | 690 |
| Tennessee | $31,310 | $15.05 | -12.5% | 6,080 |
| Texas | $30,680 | $14.75 | -14.3% | 22,440 |
| Utah | $35,140 | $16.89 | -1.8% | 2,810 |
| Vermont | $48,650 | $23.39 | +35.9% | 440 |
| Virginia | — | — | — | 10,200 |
| Washington | $59,510 | $28.61 | +66.3% | 6,930 |
| West Virginia | $34,480 | $16.58 | -3.7% | 1,020 |
| Wisconsin | $36,230 | $17.42 | +1.2% | 6,260 |
| Wyoming | $29,170 | $14.03 | -18.5% | 360 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,390/yr
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators — $44,650/yr
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,970/yr
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,670/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
The median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is $35,790 ($17.21 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 305,710 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $17.21. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.