If you’re considering a cosmetology career, you have likely asked yourself a very practical question: How much do cosmetologists earn? It’s an especially important factor to consider if you’re looking at starting a new career or making a career change.

However, the answer to this question is that earnings are not as straightforward as looking up one annual salary. Cosmetologists make different amounts depending on where they work, how often they work, how much experience they have, how well developed their client base may be, and what services they offer.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists had a median yearly wage of nearly $35,880 in 2025. But the reality is that this number can be higher or lower depending on a cosmetologist’s business structure (and the factors we referenced above). Let’s take a closer look at the world of cosmetology to help you learn more about the average income of a cosmetologist.

A look at Career Cosmetology as a Whole

Cosmetology is a broad field centered on helping clients feel confident about their appearance. Depending on their training and licensing, cosmetologists may provide services such as haircuts, coloring, shampooing, and chemical treatments.

But the career can involve a lot more than just technical services. As a cosmetologist, you’ll find clients may come to you often for:

• Product recommendations
• Hair styling advice
• Relationship building
• Information on the latest trends

In addition to learning how to care for and style hair through a cosmetology program, cosmetologists will need to learn how to maintain records, process billing, and maintain relationships with clients that encourage them to keep coming back.

The career also offers flexibility. According to the BLS, nearly half of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists were self-employed in 2025. This is a big reason why many people choose this career. When you’re self-employed, you get to make your own hours and set your own rates.

A few places these professionals work include:

• Salons
• Through leasing booth space
• In their home

This variety is one reason why the compensation structures of a cosmetologist vary so much.

The Main Ways Cosmetologists Get Paid

There isn’t one universal way cosmetologists earn their income. The compensation structure can vary depending on the financial arrangement you have as a self-employed cosmetologist or through a salon or business. These types of arrangements typically include a mix of:

• Hourly wage
• Commission-based pay
• Salary
• Booth rental (Independent contract)
• Tips

Hourly Wage

An hourly wage is one of the more straightforward ways a cosmetologist gets paid. This simply means you earn a set amount for each hour you work.

For someone just starting out, hourly employment is a great option because it provides predictability and more consistent income while they build their skills and clientele. It also offers you the chance to learn how a professional salon operates without having to take on running an independent business immediately.

Commission-Based Pay

Under a commission structure, a cosmetologist earns a percentage of the revenue generated from the services or products they sell.

For example, a salon may pay a stylist a set percentage of the price of each service. This means the more services you perform, the greater your potential earnings can be.

Commission structures are a great way to reward yourself for building a loyal clientele and consistently providing good service. However, income may fluctuate based on appointment volume, seasonality, and your ability to attract and retain clients.

Salary

Some cosmetologists are paid with a traditional salary, especially when they move into positions with added responsibilities, such as a Salon Manager.

A salaried professional may have more predictable income from pay period to pay period. However, if you work extra hours or have busy seasons, you will notice you get paid the same amount.

It’s important to remember that a salary structure may look a lot different than service-based compensation. When evaluating a job opportunity, consider the entire compensation package rather than focusing on one number.

Booth Rental (Independent Contractor)

Booth rental is another option for experienced cosmetologists. In this arrangement, a cosmetologist typically pays a fee to use space within an established salon. This structure is a good option for stylists who want to operate more independently and have greater control over:

• Pricing
• Scheduling
• Products
• Client experiences

However, keep in mind that greater independence also comes with taking on additional business responsibilities. As a self-employed cosmetologist, you would need to manage expenses such as:

• Salon or booth rent
• Professional supplies
• Marketing
• Scheduling
• Taxes
• Business insurance

Tips

And then there are tips!

Tips can be an important source of additional income, particularly when you provide specialized services and build strong relationships with clients. By providing excellent service, communicating clearly, and creating a welcome experience, you can build client loyalty and increase tip amounts, leading to a higher salary.

How Much Do Cosmetologists Make on Average?

So, how much do cosmetologists earn? As you can see, the answer is not very straightforward. However, according to the BLS, the median hourly wage for hairstylists, hairdressers, and cosmetologists was around $17.21.

The median represents the midpoint of the wage distribution; however, this figure should not be considered a “guarantee” of what you may earn. In this career field, maintaining or growing your salary takes careful planning, experience, and time.

Factors That Affect a Cosmetologist’s Income

Several factors to consider that may influence how much a cosmetologist earns include:

• Experience: As you gain experience and refine your technical skills, you may be able to take on more complex services and build a stronger client base.
• Location: Wages and service prices vary a lot depending on the local market and cost of living. For example, if you’re a hairdresser in New York City, you’ll likely make more than a hair stylist in Des Moines, Iowa.
• Specialization: Gaining experience in specialty services like coloring, extensions, or curly hair can come with different earning structures.
• Work arrangement: Hourly employment, commission, booth rental, and self-employment all come with different earning structures.
• Education and skills: Strong training can help you build the technical foundation you need to provide good service and a solid income baseline.

Tips to Maximize Your Earnings

If you’re interested in growing your income as a cosmetologist, you should start by enrolling in an accredited program for cosmetology. This shows you have the dedication and experience that clients will trust when it comes time to book.

Once you finish the program and become licensed, focus on becoming excellent at your craft through:

• Continued learning to help you stay current with techniques
• Building strong relationships
• Exploring ways to expand your professional sales through retail, social media marketing, and business management
• Professionalism, like showing up on time, maintaining a clean workspace, and creating positive client experiences

Building a Rewarding Cosmetology Career

If you’re looking for a career that rewards creativity, lets you work with people, and lets you work with your hands, cosmetology is a great option. This career field is also showing strong growth, as it’s estimated employment will grow 7% from 2025 to 2035.

So, how much do cosmetologists earn? Ultimately, your earning potential is only one part of the equation. Building a successful cosmetology career with strong finances also requires developing your craft, connecting with clients, and creating a professional path to your goals. This all starts with a solid cosmetology program. To learn more about how to get started with Dorsey College’s program, click the button below.

Dorsey College has determined that its Cosmetology program curriculum is sufficient to fulfill educational requirements for licensure in the State of Michigan only. No academic determinations have been made for any other state, district, or US territory regarding licensure requirements.