How much does a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make?

The median annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is $35,790 ($17 per hour). Pay ranges from about $27,040 at the 10th percentile to $71,190 at the 90th percentile.

What is the average salary for a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?

The average (mean) annual salary is $43,960, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Which state pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss the most?

Washington has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $59,510.

Is Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists a growing occupation?

BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 306K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.

What does a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists do?

Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.; Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.; Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors..

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary

Personal Care and Service Occupations · 306K employed in the U.S.

Median annual

$35,790

Median hourly

$17

Average annual

$43,960

Typical range

$27,040–$71,190

Pay distribution

10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.

10th$27,040

25th$30,120

Median$35,790

75th$48,830

90th$71,190

What this role pays

The median annual salary for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is $35,790 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $17 an hour at a full-time schedule.

Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services..

Most earn between $27,040 and $71,190 a year. There are roughly 306K people employed as hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.

Salary calculator

Convert your pay and see where it lands for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists.

Pay amountPay period

Hours / weekWeeks / year

Hourly: $17.21
Daily: $138
Weekly: $688
Bi-weekly: $1,377
Monthly: $2,983
Annual: $35,790

$35,790 a year is around the 50th percentile for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss. The median is $35,790.

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — U.S., May 2025
Percentile	Hourly	Annual
10th percentile	$13.00	$27,040
25th percentile	$14.50	$30,120
Median	$17.20	$35,790
75th percentile	$23.50	$48,830
90th percentile	$34.20	$71,190
Average (mean)	$21.10	$43,960
Employment	305,710 people

Key skills

Active Listening
Speaking
Service Orientation
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Judgment and Decision Making
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving

Highest-paying states

Median annual wage by state.

1Washington$59,510
2Oregon$57,580
3District of Columbia$54,570
4South Dakota$49,800
5Vermont$48,650
6Connecticut$44,620
7Maine$44,000
8Minnesota$39,170
9California$38,660
10North Carolina$38,410
11Montana$38,000
12New Mexico$37,750

Top-paying metro areas

Median annual wage by metro area.

1Corvallis, OR$61,880
2Bellingham, WA$61,820
3Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA$61,440
4Kahului-Wailuku, HI$60,710
5Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$59,810
6Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$59,610
7Burlington-South Burlington, VT$58,740
8Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA$58,150
9Bend, OR$51,640
10Salem, OR$50,960
11Sioux Falls, SD-MN$50,500
12Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA$49,840

Related job titles

Employers advertise Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists roles under these titles.

Related occupations

What a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists does

Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
Schedule client appointments.
Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists make?: The median annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is $35,790 ($17 per hour). Pay ranges from about $27,040 at the 10th percentile to $71,190 at the 90th percentile.
What is the average salary for a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?: The average (mean) annual salary is $43,960, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Which state pays Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss the most?: Washington has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $59,510.
Is Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists a growing occupation?: BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 306K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
What does a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists do?: Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.; Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.; Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors..