"How long does it take to become a cosmetologist in Alaska?"

"Most paths into the cosmetologist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do cosmetologists need a license in Alaska?"

"Yes. Alaska requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community \u0026 Economic Development - State Board of Barbers \u0026 Hairdressers. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Alaska?"

"In Alaska, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Cosmetologist in Alaska

Q: "How much do cosmetologists earn in Alaska?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Alaska earned a median annual wage of approximately $32,150. Employment concentration in Alaska is roughly 0.52 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Alaska?"

"Alaska currently employs approximately 330 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $32,150 ($15.46/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 330 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -10.2% below the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $32,150 ($15.46/hr)
25th percentile: $31,990 per year
75th percentile: $54,850 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $55,850 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $30,900 per year
Workers employed in Alaska: 330
Versus national median: -10.2% below the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.52 - this occupation is less concentrated in Alaska than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Alaska employs approximately 330 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $32,150 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 Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Alaska

How do I become a cosmetologist in Alaska? Alaska requires credentials such as Barber, Hairdresser and Hair Stylist. The licensing authority is the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Alaska is $32,150 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,900 and experienced professionals can earn $55,850 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: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers
Median wage (Alaska): $32,150 per year ¹

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Alaska

The Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers oversees cosmetologist licensing in Alaska ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Barber	Application $150 Initial License Fee $180
Hairdresser and Hair Stylist	Application $150 License $180

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Alaska vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Anchorage	240	$32,150	$40,850	$30,900	$55,430
La Crosse-Onalaska	170	$35,090	$35,730	$24,130	$47,780
Fairbanks-College	50	$36,610	$44,580	$30,900	$56,150

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 Alaska

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Alaska according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Anchorage	240	$32,150
Fairbanks-College	50	$36,610

Explore More Trades in Alaska

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 330 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cosmetologist in Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alaska.

How much do cosmetologists earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Alaska is $32,150, which is $3,100 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development - State Board of Barbers & Hairdressers - Licensing Information: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofBarbersHairdressers.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)