How to Become A Cosmetologist in Alabama
Alabama employs approximately 3,300 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $29,150 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 75,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a cosmetologist in Alabama, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Alabama
How do I become a cosmetologist in Alabama? Alabama requires credentials such as Certified Natural Hairstylist Apprentice, Certified Cosmetologist Apprentice, Licensed Barber. The licensing authority is the Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 2,000 hours of experience (roughly 1.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Alabama? Yes. Alabama has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Alabama? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Alabama is $29,150 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $21,300 and experienced professionals can earn $56,700 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering
- Median wage (Alabama): $29,150 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Alabama
The Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering oversees cosmetologist licensing in Alabama 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Natural Hairstylist Apprentice | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
| Certified Cosmetologist Apprentice | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
| Licensed Barber | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
| Licensed Cosmetologist | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
| Certified Hairstylist Apprentice | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
| Licensed Natural Hairstylist | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
| Licensed Hairstylist | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
| Certified Barber Apprentice | This applicant should: At least 16 years old; submit a licensing fee; Has education equivalent to the completion of 10 grades in school; Has passed the Board Examination; Complete either: a. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Alabama
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Alabama vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 1,050 | $29,000 | $33,800 | $21,830 | $55,230 |
| Huntsville | 550 | $29,150 | $33,040 | $21,050 | $55,920 |
| Mobile | 350 | $29,700 | $35,880 | $21,840 | $59,190 |
| Montgomery | 260 | $30,530 | $35,860 | $21,660 | $59,270 |
| Columbus | 210 | $29,790 | $35,140 | $16,790 | $62,150 |
| Tuscaloosa | 160 | $30,250 | $34,860 | $21,920 | $58,440 |
| Auburn-Opelika | 120 | $27,980 | $31,470 | $21,430 | $52,130 |
| Decatur | 90 | $28,430 | $33,180 | $23,050 | $54,530 |
| Dothan | 90 | $28,150 | $31,900 | $20,980 | $50,270 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | 50 | $28,550 | $31,760 | $21,060 | $45,010 |
| Gadsden | 40 | $27,070 | $27,800 | $21,770 | $35,210 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Cosmetologists in Alabama
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Alabama according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 1,050 | $29,000 |
| Huntsville | 550 | $29,150 |
| Mobile | 350 | $29,700 |
| Montgomery | 260 | $30,530 |
| Tuscaloosa | 160 | $30,250 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Alabama? Alabama currently employs approximately 3,300 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Alabama with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Alabama? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alabama.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Alabama compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Alabama is $29,150, which is $6,100 below the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alabama State Board of Cosmetology & Barbering - Licensing Information: https://www.aboc.alabama.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
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) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |