Cosmetologist
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Cosmetologist?
Cosmetologists provide beauty services including hair cutting, coloring, styling, chemical treatments, skincare, and nail care. They work in salons, spas, and sometimes freelance for events or media productions. Every state requires a license, typically earned by completing 1,000–2,100 hours of cosmetology school (varies widely by state) and passing both a written and practical exam.
The Landscape
The path to licensure varies significantly beyond the universal requirement to be licensed. While many states require around 1,500 hours of schooling, some demand considerably more, like Wisconsin (1,550 hours plus 3,712 for apprenticeship), or Pennsylvania (1,250 hours plus 2,000 for apprenticeship), while California recently reduced its requirement to just 1,000 hours. A critical distinction is the availability of apprenticeship alternatives, offered in numerous states including Vermont, Maine, and Maryland, providing a hands-on, potentially debt-free route to licensure for many.
Another major difference lies in examination requirements and continuing education. States like Connecticut, Oregon, Illinois, and Florida notably do not require a practical exam for licensure, streamlining the process significantly. Continuing education hours also range from a modest 4 hours annually in West Virginia to a substantial 30 hours per two-year cycle in Montana, impacting ongoing professional development and cost. These varied requirements create diverse entry points and ongoing commitments for cosmetologists across the country.
Cosmetologist by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $29,660 | -15.9% | 9-24 months |
| Alaska | Yes | $44,700 | +26.8% | Varies depending on program length (typically 10-14 months for school, longer for apprenticeship) |
| Arizona | Yes | $35,220 | -0.1% | 9-12 months |
| Arkansas | Yes | $26,450 | -25.0% | 9-12 months |
| California | Yes | $39,370 | +11.7% | 7-10 months |
| Colorado | Yes | $43,680 | +23.9% | 9-12 months |
| Connecticut | Yes | $37,070 | +5.2% | 9-12 months |
| Delaware | Yes | $30,980 | -12.1% | 9-12 months |
| District of Columbia | Yes | $48,060 | +36.3% | 9-12 months |
| Florida | Yes | $29,760 | -15.6% | 9-15 months |
| Georgia | Yes | $30,790 | -12.7% | 9-12 months |
| Hawaii | Yes | $52,000 | +47.5% | Approximately 12-14 months for school, or 3600 hours for apprenticeship. |
| Idaho | Yes | $33,820 | -4.1% | 10-13 months |
| Illinois | Yes | $34,800 | -1.3% | 12-18 months (for 1500-hour program) |
| Indiana | Yes | $31,480 | -10.7% | 10-12 months (full-time) or up to 2 years (part-time) |
| Iowa | Yes | $37,850 | +7.4% | 9-12 months |
| Kansas | Yes | $34,740 | -1.4% | 9-24 months |
| Kentucky | Yes | $32,170 | -8.7% | Approximately 9-12 months for education, plus a mandatory 6-month apprenticeship. |
| Louisiana | Yes | $23,470 | -33.4% | 9-12 months |
| Maine | Yes | $48,480 | +37.5% | 9-12 months |
| Maryland | Yes | $36,440 | +3.4% | 9-12 months |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $47,740 | +35.4% | 6 months (minimum program length) |
| Michigan | Yes | $35,720 | +1.3% | 9-12 months |
| Minnesota | Yes | $42,850 | +21.6% | Approximately 10-14 months for training, plus 4-6 weeks for exam and licensing. |
| Mississippi | Yes | $28,360 | -19.5% | 9-12 months |
| Missouri | Yes | $30,390 | -13.8% | 9-12 months |
| Montana | Yes | $38,230 | +8.5% | 9-12 months |
| Nebraska | Yes | $39,190 | +11.2% | 11-15 months |
| Nevada | Yes | $29,690 | -15.8% | 10-13 months |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $42,000 | +19.1% | 9-12 months |
| New Jersey | Yes | $44,110 | +25.1% | 13-24 months |
| New Mexico | Yes | $28,150 | -20.1% | 10-13 months |
| New York | Yes | $33,960 | -3.7% | 7-10 months |
| North Carolina | Yes | $36,140 | +2.5% | Varies depending on program length and individual progress; typically 9-12 months for 1500 hours. |
| North Dakota | Yes | $33,870 | -3.9% | 11-15 months |
| Ohio | Yes | $29,440 | -16.5% | 9-12 months |
| Oklahoma | Yes | $30,680 | -13.0% | 9-12 months |
| Oregon | Yes | $35,760 | +1.4% | 9-12 months |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | $29,680 | -15.8% | 8-15 months (school) or 21 months (apprenticeship) |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $30,510 | -13.4% | 8-10 months |
| South Carolina | Yes | $29,120 | -17.4% | 9-12 months |
| South Dakota | Yes | $49,050 | +39.1% | 9 months - 2 years (for education program) |
| Tennessee | Yes | $29,170 | -17.2% | 9-12 months |
| Texas | Yes | $28,370 | -19.5% | 7-12 months |
| Utah | Yes | $34,960 | -0.8% | 9-14 months |
| Vermont | Yes | $49,640 | +40.8% | Varies (1500 hours of schooling or 24-month apprenticeship) |
| Virginia | Yes | $37,850 | +7.4% | Varies (typically 9-12 months for school, longer for apprenticeship) |
| Washington | Yes | $58,920 | +67.1% | Approximately 10-13 months (school) or longer (apprenticeship) |
| West Virginia | Yes | $31,150 | -11.6% | — |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $36,550 | +3.7% | — |
| Wyoming | Yes | $32,400 | -8.1% | 8+ months |
Highest-Paying States for Cosmetologists
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $58,920 | 7,410 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $52,000 | 1,000 |
| 3 | Vermont | $49,640 | 520 |
| 4 | South Dakota | $49,050 | 530 |
| 5 | Maine | $48,480 | 820 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $48,060 | 1,010 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $47,740 | 9,210 |
| 8 | Alaska | $44,700 | 240 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $44,110 | 15,140 |
| 10 | Colorado | $43,680 | 6,520 |
Find a Training Program
Compare cosmetologist programs at trade schools across the country — ranked by graduate earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.