State Rankings

Best States for Cosmetology License

Compare salary, training costs, reciprocity, and job growth across all 51 states to find the best place to start or advance your Cosmetology License career.

Highest Salary

Washington

$50,330 median

Lowest Cost

Alaska

From $800

Shortest Training

Massachusetts

1000 hours

Fastest Growth

California

7.5% growth

Rank by:

Reciprocity only (51)

#	State	Median Salary	Training Cost	Hours	Growth
1	Washington	$50,330	$5,000–$15,000	1600	5.6%
2	District of Columbia	$50,000	$5,000–$10,000	1500	6.5%
3	Vermont	$47,200	$5,000–$10,000	1500	3.5%
4	Maine	$47,050	$5,000–$15,000	1500	4.5%
5	Massachusetts	$46,410	$800–$2,500	1000	5.6%
6	Nebraska	$40,370	$8,000–$15,000	2100	5.6%
7	South Dakota	$38,070	$5,000–$15,000	2100	5.6%
8	Alaska	$37,190	$800–$2,500	1650	3.0%
9	California	$37,170	$5,000–$15,000	1600	7.5%
10	New Jersey	$36,560	$5,000–$10,000	1200	5.6%
11	Virginia	$36,200	$5,000–$12,000	1500	5.6%
12	Wisconsin	$36,200	$6,000–$10,000	1550	4.5%
13	North Carolina	$36,020	$3,000–$10,000	1500	5.6%
14	Colorado	$36,010	$5,000–$10,000	1450	5.6%
15	Illinois	$35,940	$5,000–$15,000	1500	5.6%
16	Utah	$35,740	$5,000–$15,000	1600	7%
17	North Dakota	$35,610	$6,000–$10,000	1800	5.6%
18	Connecticut	$35,170	$8,000–$15,000	1500	4.8%
19	Oregon	$35,080	$10,000–$20,000	2300	5.6%
20	Maryland	$34,990	$800–$2,500	1500	5.6%
21	Montana	$34,830	$5,000–$15,000	2000	5.6%
22	Minnesota	$34,770	$5,000–$15,000	1550	5.6%
23	New Hampshire	$34,580	$5,000–$10,000	1500	5.6%
24	Rhode Island	$34,530	$5,000–$15,000	1500	4.5%
25	Oklahoma	$34,450	$800–$2,500	1500	4.5%
26	Arizona	$34,020	$800–$2,500	1600	5.6%
27	Ohio	$33,920	$5,000–$10,000	1500	5.6%
28	Florida	$33,910	$800–$2,500	1200	5.6%
29	Delaware	$33,650	$3,000–$10,000	1500	5.0%
30	Michigan	$33,640	$800–$2,500	1500	5.6%
31	Kansas	$33,600	$800–$2,500	1500	4.5%
32	Missouri	$33,420	$800–$2,500	1500	5.6%
33	New York	$32,930	$800–$2,500	1000	5.6%
34	Tennessee	$31,500	$5,000–$10,000	1500	5.6%
35	Pennsylvania	$31,170	$3,000–$10,000	1250	5.2%
36	Idaho	$30,990	$10,000–$20,000	1600	4.5%
37	Kentucky	$30,420	$5,000–$10,000	1500	5.6%
38	Alabama	$30,240	$800–$2,500	1500	5.6%
39	Indiana	$30,220	$800–$2,500	1500	5.6%
40	Iowa	$30,050	$5,000–$20,000	2100	5.6%
41	West Virginia	$29,480	$800–$2,500	1800	Below 5.6%
42	Georgia	$29,290	$5,000–$15,000	1500	5.6%
43	Texas	$29,270	$800–$2,500	1000	5.6%
44	South Carolina	$28,910	$5,000–$10,000	1500	5.6%
45	Wyoming	$28,860	$5,000–$15,000	2000	3.5%
46	Hawaii	$28,690	$5,000–$10,000	1800	6.5%
47	Nevada	$28,600	$800–$2,500	1600	5.6%
48	New Mexico	$27,380	$5,000–$10,000	1600	4.5%
49	Arkansas	$26,860	$800–$2,500	1500	4.5%
50	Louisiana	$26,590	$800–$2,500	1500	5.6%
51	Mississippi	$25,060	$5,000–$10,000	1500	4-5%