Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
SOC 39-5012 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is $177,765, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $174,408, and an estimated 493,646 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +27.7% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +8.5% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 5.6% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $34,970 | $34,970 | 294,840 |
| 2022 | $33,290 | $34,660 | 298,050 |
| 2021 | $29,670 | $33,364 | 285,980 |
| 2020 | $27,380 | $32,235 | 302,410 |
Nominal change
+27.7%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+8.5%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+5.6%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
575,200
Projected 2034
607,400
Annual Openings
75,800
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $177,765. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $51,070 | -71.3% | 50 |
| Washington | $50,330 | -71.7% | 6,680 |
| District of Columbia | $50,000 | -71.9% | 850 |
| Vermont | $47,200 | -73.4% | 600 |
| Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $47,200 | -73.4% | 70 |
| Maine | $47,050 | -73.5% | 1,090 |
| Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $46,800 | -73.7% | 140 |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $46,630 | -73.8% | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $46,410 | -73.9% | 9,880 |
| Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $45,330 | -74.5% | 240 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$97,770
25th Pct
$133,323
Median
$177,765
75th Pct
$231,094
90th Pct
$293,312
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR Brows LLC | OH | 1 | $46,800 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Personal Care & Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.