How long does the training take?

Typically a few months to two years for the certificate. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make?

The US median is $35,790 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.

Where can you train for this work?

1,404 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Personal care & beauty · SOC 39-5012

$35,790US median pay, 2025

+7.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

73,400Openings per year

CertificateUsual way in

How you get in

A certificate or short program is the usual way in.

Postsecondary nondegree award
Work in: hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General	CIP 12.0401	1,341
Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor	CIP 12.0413	327
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other	CIP 12.0499	93
Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design	CIP 12.0407	81
Make-Up Artist/Specialist	CIP 12.0406	28
Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager	CIP 12.0412	16
Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis Technician	CIP 12.0404	11
Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing	CIP 12.0411	2

See the 1,404 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically a few months to two years for the certificate. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make?: The US median is $35,790 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Not a full degree. A certificate or short program is the usual route.
Where can you train for this work?: 1,404 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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