Barbers
Median wage · national
$38,210
Range: $32K – $59K
Employed
15K
Openings/yr
8K
Typically: postsecondary nondegree award
TRADES
Hairdressers & Cosmetologists
Hairdressers & Cosmetologists earn $35,790 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $30,120 and $48,830. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Hairdressers & Cosmetologists
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.
- Median Wage
- $35,790
- Employed Nationally
- 306K
- Openings / Year
- 75,800
- Entry Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Beautician
Beauty Advisor
Beauty Operator
Beauty Specialist
Beauty Therapist
How Much Do Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Make?
Hairdressers & Cosmetologists earn $35,790 nationally, significantly below average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,120 and $48,830. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$35,790
National Median (Annual)
Significantly below average. Specialized roles can raise this considerably.
$30K–$49K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$30,120
Entry-level
$35,790
Median
$48,830
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $43,960, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Hairdressers & Cosmetologists roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll 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.
- Schedule client appointments.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Speaking
Service Orientation
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Hairdressers & Cosmetologists?
The BLS projects +5.6% employment change for Hairdressers & Cosmetologists through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 75,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +5.6%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
75,800
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
306K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Hairdressers & Cosmetologists professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $35,790 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 23,220 | $29,760 | -16.8% |
| 2 | Texas | 22,470 | $28,370 | -20.7% |
| 3 | California | 21,510 | $39,370 | +10.0% |
| 4 | New York | 20,300 | $33,960 | -5.1% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 18,630 | $29,680 | -17.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Hairdressers & Cosmetologists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cosmetology | 132,103 | — | 1,625 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Hairdressers & Cosmetologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chipola College Marianna, FL | 88 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| 2 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA | 86 | $1,164 | $30,364 |
| 3 | South Florida State College Avon Park, FL | 86 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| 4 | Florida Gateway College Lake City, FL | 86 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| 5 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN | 86 | $6,631 | $40,869 |
| 6 | Southwest Mississippi Community College Summit, MS | 85 | $2,525 | $33,227 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Hairdressers & Cosmetologists, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Hairdressers & Cosmetologists pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Pros & Cons
The data on Hairdressers & Cosmetologists shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.6% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Wide job market 306K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
- Strong annual demand 75,800 job openings per year creates consistent hiring volume even in slower economic cycles. Entry-level candidates have real options throughout the year.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Below-average earnings Median pay of $35,790 falls below the national average for college graduates. ROI is weak at higher-cost programs. Prioritize schools with low net price.
Hairdressers & Cosmetologists Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Hairdressers & Cosmetologists professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Hairdressers & Cosmetologists is $35,790, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,120 and $48,830. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Hairdressers & Cosmetologists a good career?
Hairdressers & Cosmetologists involves trade-offs worth understanding before committing. At $35,790 median, programs with high tuition are difficult to justify on salary return alone. Prioritize in-state public schools or employer-sponsored pathways. Job growth is projected at +5.6% through 2034. Genuine interest in the work, not just the salary, matters most here.
How do I become a Hairdressers & Cosmetologists?
Most Hairdressers & Cosmetologists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Cosmetology are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Hairdressers & Cosmetologists?
The BLS projects +5.6% employment change for Hairdressers & Cosmetologists through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 75,800 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 306K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Hairdressers & Cosmetologists professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Hairdressers & Cosmetologists roles: Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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