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

"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 Arizona?"

"Yes. Arizona requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the Barbering and Cosmetology Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Arizona?"

"In Arizona, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security - 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 Arizona

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Arizona earned a median annual wage of approximately $36,810. Employment concentration in Arizona is about 1.23 times the national average for this occupation."

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

"Arizona currently employs approximately 7,840 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

Arizona hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $36,810 ($17.70/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 7,840 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.8% above the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $36,810 ($17.70/hr)
25th percentile: $34,250 per year
75th percentile: $45,520 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $57,790 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $31,050 per year
Workers employed in Arizona: 7,840
Versus national median: 2.8% above the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.23 - this occupation is more concentrated in Arizona than the national average

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

Arizona employs approximately 7,840 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,810 ¹. The state’s concentration of cosmetologist jobs is 1.23x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Arizona

How do I become a cosmetologist in Arizona? Arizona requires credentials such as Cosmetology Instructor, Cosmetologist, Barber Instructor. The licensing authority is the Barbering and Cosmetology Board 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 Arizona? Yes. Arizona has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Barbering and Cosmetology Board oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Arizona is $36,810 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,050 and experienced professionals can earn $57,790 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: Barbering and Cosmetology Board
Median wage (Arizona): $36,810 per year ¹

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Arizona

The Barbering and Cosmetology Board oversees cosmetologist licensing in Arizona ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Cosmetology Instructor	Reference: ARS 32-531
Cosmetologist	Reference: ARS 32-511
Barber Instructor	Reference: ARS 32-323
Hairstylist	Reference: ARS 32-512.01
Barber	Reference: ARS 32-322

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler	6,440	$36,810	$43,250	$31,340	$56,890
Tucson	890	$38,590	$43,470	$30,580	$61,620
Prescott Valley-Prescott	120	$34,710	$38,520	$31,280	$48,730
Yuma	110	$34,970	$39,280	$30,580	$44,450
Flagstaff	90	$37,390	$38,970	$33,310	$44,740
Lake Havasu City-Kingman	70	$33,810	$35,080	$30,580	$44,660

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 Arizona

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler	6,440	$36,810
Tucson	890	$38,590
Prescott Valley-Prescott	120	$34,710
Yuma	110	$34,970
Flagstaff	90	$37,390

Explore More Trades in Arizona

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 7,840 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cosmetologist in Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the Barbering and Cosmetology Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do cosmetologists earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Arizona is $36,810, which is $1,560 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Barbering and Cosmetology Board - Licensing Information: https://barberboard.az.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)