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

"The primary Arkansas license requires approximately 21 years of qualifying experience."

"Do cosmetologists need a license in Arkansas?"

"Yes. Arkansas requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the Arkansas Department of Health - Board of Health. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Arkansas?"

"In Arkansas, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Arkansas Department of Career Education - 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 Arkansas

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $28,830. Employment concentration in Arkansas is roughly 0.55 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 Arkansas?"

"Arkansas currently employs approximately 1,410 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

Arkansas hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $28,830 ($13.86/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,410 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -19.4% below the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $28,830 ($13.86/hr)
25th percentile: $24,410 per year
75th percentile: $33,730 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $49,990 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $23,920 per year
Workers employed in Arkansas: 1,410
Versus national median: -19.4% below the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.55 - this occupation is less concentrated in Arkansas than the national average

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

Arkansas employs approximately 1,410 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $28,830 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 Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Arkansas

How do I become a cosmetologist in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Cosmetology Instructor. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Health - Board of Health ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 21 years of experience ³.

Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Arkansas Department of Health - Board of Health oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Arkansas is $28,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,920 and experienced professionals can earn $49,990 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: Arkansas Department of Health - Board of Health
Median wage (Arkansas): $28,830 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Health - Board of Health oversees cosmetologist licensing in Arkansas ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Cosmetology Instructor	Cosmetology Instructors provide instructions to students in the basic theory of cosmetology and its related branches.

Additional Requirements

Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	1,000	$30,980	$35,980	$25,370	$48,120
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	540	$30,410	$36,940	$24,410	$49,990
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	470	$27,790	$31,840	$23,980	$47,690
Jonesboro	90	$27,570	$30,310	$23,790	$37,080
Fort Smith	70	$28,090	$31,520	$23,640	$46,110
Texarkana	50	$27,750	$33,030	$21,710	$57,550
Hot Springs	40	$28,680	$30,880	$23,200	$39,820

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 Arkansas

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	540	$30,410
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	470	$27,790
Jonesboro	90	$27,570
Fort Smith	70	$28,090
Hot Springs	40	$28,680

Explore More Trades in Arkansas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 1,410 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

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

How much do cosmetologists earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Arkansas is $28,830, which is $6,420 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Health - Board of Health - Licensing Information: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/cosmetology ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)