To become a cosmetologist in the US, you'll complete a state-approved cosmetology program, which leads to a certificate or other postsecondary award, then pass your state's licensing exam. The exam includes a written test and, in some states, a practical test of styling skills or an oral exam. Every state requires cosmetologists to be licensed.
Cosmetology school is shorter than a degree, and you can be working with clients soon after you're licensed. The detail many people miss is how the pay figures are counted.
Every figure here comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, read on 26 October 2026. It's a careers guide, not beauty or skin care advice.
Cosmetologist pay and demand
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median hourly pay, hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists (May 2025) | $17.21 |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $13.00 an hour |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $34.23 an hour |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists jobs in 2025 | 595,000 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 8% |
| Openings each year (barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists) | About 80,300 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026.
Your path to a cosmetology license
- Check your state's rules. Qualifications vary by state, including minimum age and whether you need a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Enrol in a state-approved program. Programs mix classroom study with hands-on training. Some states require health and safety training as part of the course.
- Graduate. You'll finish with a certificate or other postsecondary nondegree award from a state-licensed school.
- Pass the state exam. Expect a written test, and in some states a practical test or an oral exam.
- Pay the license fee and keep it current. A fee is usually required, and some states require continuing education units at renewal.
Before you enrol, ask each school whether it's state approved, how its course is split between theory and hands-on practice, and how it prepares students for the practical part of the exam. Those three answers tell you more than a glossy brochure, and they're the questions that matter most when you're comparing schools side by side.
The pay detail most people miss: tips are counted
BLS says cosmetologists may receive tips from customers, and those tips are included in the wage data. So the median of $17.21 an hour isn't a base wage with tips on top. It already includes them.
That matters when you're comparing job offers or deciding whether to rent a booth. Ask any salon how pay is structured, and work out what you'd earn on a quiet week, not just a busy one.
Working for yourself is common
| Where hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists work | Share of jobs | Median hourly pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 48% | Not listed |
| Personal care services | 45 in every 100 | $17.39 |
| Retail trade | 5 in every 100 | $14.84 |
Nearly half are self-employed, as of October 2026. Some lease booth space from a salon owner, and others manage salons or open their own after several years of experience. If that's your plan, this guide on starting a hair salon business covers the first steps, and our review of salon software shows how owners handle bookings and payments.
Licenses that travel and overlap
Two rules can save you training time later. In many states, cosmetology training may be credited toward a barbering license or the other way round, and a few states combine the two licenses.
State reciprocity agreements may also let licensed cosmetologists get a license in another state without extra formal training or state board testing. If you might move, contact your state licensing agency and ask about reciprocity before you choose a school.
Hours and working conditions
- Most cosmetologists work full time, but part-time work is common
- Evenings and weekends are often the busiest times
- You'll be on your feet for most of your shift
- Some chemicals can irritate skin, so gloves and aprons are common
- Self-employed stylists may have long days but usually set their own schedules
Many stylists also take advanced courses throughout their careers to keep up with trends, and courses in sales and marketing help if you want to open your own business. These prompts for hairdressers and salons help with client messages and social posts.
Outlook
BLS projects 8% growth for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists from 2025 to 2035, driven mainly by demand for basic hair care. Across barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, that's about 80,300 openings a year, many from people retiring or changing careers.
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My verdict
Cosmetology is a quick, practical route into a hands-on career, with steady demand and a real path to running your own chair or salon. Pick a state-approved school, prepare for both the written and practical parts of the exam, and treat the published pay as tips-included when you plan your income. If you think you might move states or add barbering later, ask about reciprocity and credit transfer before you enrol.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a licensed cosmetologist?
Complete a state-approved cosmetology program, then pass your state's licensing exam, which includes a written test and in some states a practical or oral exam.
Do you need a high school diploma to be a cosmetologist?
It depends on the state. Some programs and licenses require a high school diploma or equivalent.
How much do cosmetologists make?
BLS reports a median of $17.21 an hour for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists in May 2025, including tips, as of October 2026.
Can a cosmetology license transfer to another state?
State reciprocity agreements may let licensed cosmetologists get a license in another state without extra training or testing. Check with your state licensing agency.
Can cosmetology training count toward a barber license?
In many states, yes. Cosmetology training may be credited toward a barbering license, and a few states combine the two.
Are most cosmetologists self-employed?
Self-employed workers make up 48% of hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, the largest single group.
Do cosmetologists need continuing education?
Some states require continuing education units when you renew your license, and many stylists take advanced courses to keep up with trends.
Is cosmetology a growing career?
BLS projects 8% growth for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists from 2025 to 2035, driven mainly by demand for basic hair care.
What does the cosmetology exam include?
State licensing exams include a written test and, in some states, a practical test of styling skills or an oral exam.
