Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn a median of $35,790 a year ($17.21/hr) in the U.S. – from $22,090 in Puerto Rico to $59,510 in Washington. Enter your pay below to see how you compare.
Median pay, United States$17.21/hr · $35,790 a year
Pay range
90% earn more$27,040$13.00/hr
75% earn more$30,120$14.48/hr
half earn more, half less$35,790$17.21/hr
25% earn more$48,830$23.48/hr
top 10% earn more$71,190$34.23/hr
pulled up by top earners$43,960$21.13/hr
How does my pay compare?
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Pay by state
States ranked by median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. Tap a state for its minimum wage.
6,930 jobs · $28.61/hr$59,510
1,860 jobs · $27.68/hr$57,580
870 jobs · $26.23/hr$54,570
690 jobs · $23.94/hr$49,800
440 jobs · $23.39/hr$48,650
4,090 jobs · $21.45/hr$44,620
970 jobs · $21.16/hr$44,000
5,320 jobs · $18.83/hr$39,170
27,080 jobs · $18.59/hr$38,660
8,490 jobs · $18.47/hr$38,410
690 jobs · $18.27/hr$38,000
1,230 jobs · $18.15/hr$37,750
6,820 jobs · $18.12/hr$37,690
9,600 jobs · $17.93/hr$37,290
7,840 jobs · $17.70/hr$36,810
19,350 jobs · $17.69/hr$36,790
5,860 jobs · $17.51/hr$36,420
12,890 jobs · $17.43/hr$36,260
6,260 jobs · $17.42/hr$36,230
15,500 jobs · $17.38/hr$36,150
20,740 jobs · $17.19/hr$35,760
2,930 jobs · $17.17/hr$35,700
2,250 jobs · $17.06/hr$35,480
2,810 jobs · $16.89/hr$35,140
930 jobs · $16.85/hr$35,040
870 jobs · $16.76/hr$34,850
8,970 jobs · $16.74/hr$34,820
1,950 jobs · $16.66/hr$34,650
7,910 jobs · $16.62/hr$34,560
1,020 jobs · $16.58/hr$34,480
1,270 jobs · $16.51/hr$34,350
1,890 jobs · $16.50/hr$34,320
13,190 jobs · $16.37/hr$34,040
1,940 jobs · $16.27/hr$33,840
3,570 jobs · $16.20/hr$33,700
5,920 jobs · $15.78/hr$32,830
330 jobs · $15.46/hr$32,150
6,080 jobs · $15.05/hr$31,310
1,470 jobs · $15.00/hr$31,200
5,430 jobs · $14.78/hr$30,750
22,440 jobs · $14.75/hr$30,680
2,350 jobs · $14.35/hr$29,840
2,190 jobs · $14.28/hr$29,710
1,920 jobs · $14.26/hr$29,650
23,530 jobs · $14.20/hr$29,530
360 jobs · $14.03/hr$29,170
3,300 jobs · $14.02/hr$29,150
1,410 jobs · $13.86/hr$28,830
1,040 jobs · $13.25/hr$27,560
2,720 jobs · $12.51/hr$26,030
960 jobs · $10.62/hr$22,090
No wage estimate published for: Virginia.
Related jobs
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC code 39-5012. Wages exclude the self-employed. All jobs · Minimum wage by state
Questions & answers
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make?
The median wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the U.S. was $17.21 an hour or $35,790 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $30,120 and $48,830 a year.
Which state pays hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists: $59,510 a year. The lowest published median is in Puerto Rico at $22,090. Living costs also differ a lot between states.
How many hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists are there?
BLS estimates 305,710 hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists were employed in the U.S. in May 2025, not counting the self-employed.
What is the difference between median and average pay?
The median is the middle wage: half of workers earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) adds everyone up and divides, so a few very high earners pull it up. The median is usually the better guide to typical pay.
What does the 10th or 90th percentile mean?
The 10th percentile is the wage that only 10% of workers earn less than – often entry-level pay. The 90th percentile is the wage that only 10% earn more than – usually the most experienced or highest-paid workers.