Best Cosmetology Schools Near You (2026)
Cosmetology training is offered by trade schools, community colleges and career institutes nationwide, and hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earned a median of $35,790 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Use the program finder above to request information from schools that match your goals, or browse cosmetology schools by state and metro area below.
Key Facts
- National median wage: $35,790/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Pay range (10th-90th pct): $27,040 - $71,190 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- Projected growth (2024-2034): +5.6%, ~75,800 openings/yr (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034)
- U.S. employment: 305,710 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
How to Choose a Cosmetology School
Start with accreditation: confirm the school holds recognized institutional or programmatic accreditation, because it affects credit transfer, eligibility for some certification exams and how employers view the credential. Then compare the credential awarded, total program length and schedule, and how much of the program is hands-on.
Cosmetology programs award a certificate or diploma after the hours your state requires for licensure; program length varies by state and schedule.
Choose a school with a busy student salon, current product lines and structured practice across hair, skin and nails. Graduates usually work in salons, spas and as independent stylists.
Before you enroll, ask each school what the schedule looks like week to week, how much time is spent in the lab, shop or clinic, which credential exams the curriculum covers, and how the school supports graduates in their job search. Outcomes vary by program and region, so ask for the school’s own completion figures and how they were measured.
Cosmetology Schools by State
Each state link goes to the most specific cosmetology page we publish for that state: a statewide cosmetology program guide where one exists, otherwise the state’s cosmetology career page or trade school directory.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top Metro Areas for Cosmetology Training
Large metros usually offer the widest choice of cosmetology schools and the most employers hiring graduates. These city guides list programs within driving distance and local wage data.
- Best Beauty Schools in New York City, New York (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in New York, New York (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Los Angeles, California (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Chicago, Illinois (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Houston, Texas (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Phoenix, Arizona (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in San Antonio, Texas (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in San Diego, California (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Dallas, Texas (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in San Jose, California (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Austin, Texas (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Jacksonville, Florida (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Fort Worth, Texas (2026)
- Best Beauty Schools in Columbus, Ohio (2026)
Related Careers and Guides
Disclaimer: Outcomes vary by location, experience, and local job market conditions. Employment or placement is not guaranteed. Program availability, admissions criteria, timelines, costs, and licensure requirements vary by school and state and may change without notice. Always verify details directly with the school and your state licensing board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cosmetology training take?
It depends on the credential. Cosmetology programs award a certificate or diploma after the hours your state requires for licensure; program length varies by state and schedule. Program length and schedule vary by school, so confirm the details with each program before you enroll.
How much do hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn?
According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in the U.S. earned a median annual wage of about $35,790. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $27,040 to $71,190 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Pay varies with location, experience, certification and employer.
Do I need a license or certification?
Requirements vary by state, role and employer. Some fields require a state license earned by completing approved training and passing an exam; others rely on voluntary industry certifications. Always confirm current rules with the licensing board or credentialing body in the state where you plan to work.
What is the job outlook for hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?
The BLS projects employment of hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists to change about +5.6% nationally from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 75,800 openings expected each year on average (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034). Local demand can differ from the national figure.
Can I take cosmetology classes online?
Some coursework may be offered online, but most programs include hands-on lab, shop or clinical components that are completed in person. Ask each school how its program is delivered and what the in-person requirements are.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |