Cosmetologist Salary in California
Statewide median pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and what it costs to get into the trade here.
Median annual
$46,600
statewide
Median hourly
$22.40
per hour
Jobs in state
20,450
people employed
Cost to enter
$125
licence + training
What the licence costs against the pay
At the state median, the licence and training pay for themselves in roughly 0.0 months of work. That is the number to compare when you are choosing between states — a cheaper licence in a lower-paying state can still be the slower route to break even.
Pay in other states
| State | Median annual | Licence cost | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $46,600 | $125 | 0 mo |
| Florida | $39,050 | $95 | 0 mo |
| Texas | $38,050 | $50 | 0 mo |
How to read these numbers
- Median, not average. A handful of very high earners drag the average up; the median is the middle person.
- Statewide. Metro pay in this trade often runs 10–25% above the state figure, and rural areas below it.
- Before overtime. BLS base pay excludes overtime and shift differentials, which matter a lot in this trade.
Sources
- BLS OEWS state table (archive snapshot)Median annual wage for Cosmetologist in California, May 2024
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/forms_pubs/publications/faqs.shtml“Cosmetologist = 1000 hours, Barber = 1000 hours, Esthetician = 600 hours, Electrologist = 600 hours, Hairstylist = 600, Manicurist = 400 hours.”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/forms_pubs/forms/cosmetologist_app.pdf“Cosmetologist APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION AND INITIAL LICENSE FEE $125.00 Fee (non-refundable)”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/licensees/license_renewals.shtml“Cosmetologist $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml“Candidates only need to pass the written exam to become licensed.”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml“The Board issues out of state licensees a California license through reciprocity without taking the California written exam”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/license_requirements.shtml“The board shall admit to examination for a license as a cosmetologist to practice cosmetology any person who has made application to the board in proper form, paid the fee required by this chapter”