How much does a hairstylist make?
Answer: A typical hairstylist in the United States makes $35,790 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 306,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Hairstylist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27,040 | $35,790 | $71,190 | about 306,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59,510 | about 7,000 |
| Oregon | $57,580 | about 2,000 |
| South Dakota | $49,800 | about 690 |
| Connecticut | $44,620 | about 4,000 |
| Maine | $44,000 | about 970 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., everyone needs a state license, but experience, extra training, and sought-after styles can help a hairstylist earn more. Location, salon versus retail work, and part-time or full-time hours matter too; busy shifts, tips, and a strong reputation that brings repeat clients can change earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a hairstylist do?
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. Excludes “Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance” (39-5091), “Manicurists and Pedicurists” (39-5092), and “Skincare Specialists” (39-5094).
What's a typical day like?
They greet a client, look at their hair, and talk through a style before shampooing, cutting, coloring, or blow-drying it. Between appointments, they disinfect their tools; evenings and weekends can be busy.
How to get this job
In the U.S., complete an approved cosmetology or hairstyling course and pass your state licensing exam; some states offer apprenticeships. Starting ages vary: Arizona allows a route from 16 with school credits, while California requires 17.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some U.S. salons donate hair clippings that are made into mats to soak up oil pollution in storm drains and waterways.
What about Japan?
Nearly the same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Personal Care and Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/OOH/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairstylists-and-cosmetologist
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-5012.00
- www.azleg.gov/ars/32/00511.htm
- www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/license_requirements.shtml
- matteroftrust.org/clean-wave-program
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY