Cosmetology Salary
Job Outlook for Cosmetology Careers
Beauty careers are in demand – it's a fact. Even in recessions and tough economic times, people still want to look and feel their best, so they won't necessarily cut all their beauty services from the budget.
In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, career growth for beauty careers is expected to grow by 20 percent through 2018, which is much faster than the average growth rate for other occupations. A lot of this demand increase is due to fairly normal things, like population growth, but there's also the rise in advanced cosmetology treatments and services and the new emphasis on relaxation and well-being that is being embraced by up-and-coming generations.
Cosmetology Salary Information
The national average for a cosmetology salary is about $12.30 an hour – so if you work around 50 hours a week and take about two weeks of vacation, you’ll make approximately $30,750 over the course of a year. However, it’s almost impossible to use this as an absolute of what you’re going to be making. There are a wide range of factors that can affect your take-home pay, including what your specialty is (or if you’re trained in everything), how much experience you have, your client base, the location/size of the salon or business you work for, and the state in which you practice cosmetology. Below is a breakdown based off the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the top states with the top salaries for some of the main beauty professions:
Salaries for Hairstylists and Hairdressers
| State | Hourly average wage | Annual average wage |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $18.11 | $37,680 |
| Hawaii | $16.58 | $34,490 |
| Washington | $16.19 | $33,680 |
| Vermont | $14.98 | $31,150 |
| South Carolina | $14.90 | $31,000 |
Salaries for Barbers
| State | Hourly average wage | Annual average wage |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $22.65 | $47,100 |
| Minnesota | $18.64 | $38,780 |
| North Carolina | $15.70 | $32,660 |
| Nebraska | $14.91 | $31,010 |
| Texas | $13.92 | $28,950 |
Salaries for Manicurists and Pedicurists
| State | Hourly average wage | Annual average wage |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $15.76 | $32,770 |
| Vermont | $15.23 | $31,670 |
| Tennessee | $14.78 | $30,740 |
| North Dakota | $13.86 | $28,830 |
| Oregon | $13.76 | $28,620 |
Salaries for Estheticians and Skincare Specialists
| State | Hourly average wage | Annual average wage |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $22.18 | $46,130 |
| Hawaii | $20.58 | $42,810 |
| Oregon | $20.02 | $41,650 |
| District of Columbia | $19.99 | $28,830 |
| Washington | $19.41 | $40,370 |
Salaries for Makeup Artists
| State | Hourly average wage | Annual average wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $37.22 | $77,420 |
| California | $36.47 | $75,870 |
| Ohio | $20.61 | $42,860 |
| Nevada | $18.85 | $39,210 |
| Texas | $16.66 | $34,650 |
Cosmetologists enjoy employment opportunities all over the country, and many even go into business for themselves. Beauty training at one of the nation's top schools can start you on the path to getting yourself and others recognized. There are a number of cosmetology schools located across the country that are ready to prepare you for a career with style. Contact one of our featured institutions for additional cosmetology licensing information.