Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary by State
Also called: Hairdressers and Cosmetologists
The national median pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is $35,790 a year. By state, it ranges from $26,030 in Louisiana to $59,510 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $27,040
- 25th percentile
- $30,120
- Median
- $35,790
- 75th percentile
- $48,830
- Top 10%
- $71,190
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 305,710 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $59,510 | +66% | $36,830 | $99,970 | 6,930 |
| 2 | Oregon | $57,580 | +61% | $34,880 | $76,810 | 1,860 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $54,570 | +52% | $36,400 | $130,950 | 870 |
| 4 | South Dakota | $49,800 | +39% | $32,090 | $61,900 | 690 |
| 5 | Vermont | $48,650 | +36% | $30,960 | $80,530 | 440 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $44,620 | +25% | $34,010 | $72,620 | 4,090 |
| 7 | Maine | $44,000 | +23% | $30,640 | $63,640 | 970 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $39,170 | +9% | $23,590 | $78,880 | 5,320 |
| 9 | California | $38,660 | +8% | $35,360 | $68,640 | 27,080 |
| 10 | North Carolina | $38,410 | +7% | $26,880 | $61,530 | 8,490 |
| 11 | Montana | $38,000 | +6% | $22,160 | $75,440 | 690 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $37,750 | +5% | $27,190 | $52,560 | 1,230 |
| 13 | Colorado | $37,690 | +5% | $31,520 | $98,860 | 6,820 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $37,290 | +4% | $31,600 | $79,330 | 9,600 |
| 15 | Arizona | $36,810 | +3% | $31,050 | $57,790 | 7,840 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $36,790 | +3% | $23,700 | $68,750 | 19,350 |
| 17 | Maryland | $36,420 | +2% | $31,830 | $72,940 | 5,860 |
| 18 | Ohio | $36,260 | +1% | $23,520 | $77,330 | 12,890 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $36,230 | +1% | $23,790 | $58,970 | 6,260 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $36,150 | +1% | $32,220 | $92,090 | 15,500 |
| 21 | New York | $35,760 | 0% | $33,960 | $88,540 | 20,740 |
| 22 | Iowa | $35,700 | 0% | $26,650 | $56,250 | 2,930 |
| 23 | Idaho | $35,480 | −1% | $22,810 | $48,000 | 2,250 |
| 24 | Utah | $35,140 | −2% | $21,810 | $75,860 | 2,810 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $35,040 | −2% | $29,120 | $73,820 | 930 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $34,850 | −3% | $24,130 | $77,800 | 870 |
| 27 | Michigan | $34,820 | −3% | $25,960 | $95,370 | 8,970 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $34,650 | −3% | $25,720 | $58,210 | 1,950 |
| 29 | Georgia | $34,560 | −3% | $17,310 | $79,170 | 7,910 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $34,480 | −4% | $23,580 | $60,300 | 1,020 |
| 31 | Delaware | $34,350 | −4% | $31,200 | $75,950 | 1,270 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $34,320 | −4% | $28,080 | $73,740 | 1,890 |
| 33 | Illinois | $34,040 | −5% | $31,200 | $58,960 | 13,190 |
| 34 | Nevada | $33,840 | −5% | $26,160 | $64,300 | 1,940 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $33,700 | −6% | $21,340 | $77,430 | 3,570 |
| 36 | Indiana | $32,830 | −8% | $23,890 | $58,620 | 5,920 |
| 37 | Alaska | $32,150 | −10% | $30,900 | $55,850 | 330 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $31,310 | −13% | $25,700 | $58,000 | 6,080 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $31,200 | −13% | $31,200 | $38,630 | 1,470 |
| 40 | Missouri | $30,750 | −14% | $28,600 | $58,530 | 5,430 |
| 41 | Texas | $30,680 | −14% | $23,580 | $59,730 | 22,440 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $29,840 | −17% | $22,580 | $76,170 | 2,350 |
| 43 | Kansas | $29,710 | −17% | $21,910 | $77,790 | 2,190 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $29,650 | −17% | $18,980 | $60,390 | 1,920 |
| 45 | Florida | $29,530 | −17% | $27,450 | $58,320 | 23,530 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $29,170 | −18% | $18,150 | $56,640 | 360 |
| 47 | Alabama | $29,150 | −19% | $21,300 | $56,700 | 3,300 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $28,830 | −19% | $23,920 | $49,990 | 1,410 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $27,560 | −23% | $17,370 | $58,790 | 1,040 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $26,030 | −27% | $21,590 | $33,900 | 2,720 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary questions
Which state pays hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the most?
Washington, with a median of $59,510 a year (+66% vs. the national median of $35,790). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists the least?
Louisiana, with a median of $26,030 a year (−27% vs. national).
Where do most hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work?
California has the most jobs, about 27,080, with a median of $38,660.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.