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

"The primary Connecticut license requires approximately 1,500 hours of qualifying experience, which is roughly 0.8 years of full-time work."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Connecticut?"

"In Connecticut, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship Training, 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 Connecticut

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Connecticut earned a median annual wage of approximately $44,620. Employment concentration in Connecticut is about 1.23 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "Do cosmetologists need a license in Connecticut?"

"Yes. Connecticut requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing \u0026 Investigations Section. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

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

"Connecticut currently employs approximately 4,090 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

Connecticut hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $44,620 ($21.45/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,090 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 24.7% above the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $44,620 ($21.45/hr)
25th percentile: $34,310 per year
75th percentile: $59,790 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $72,620 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $34,010 per year
Workers employed in Connecticut: 4,090
Versus national median: 24.7% above the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.23 - this occupation is more concentrated in Connecticut than the national average

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

Connecticut employs approximately 4,090 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,620 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 Connecticut, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Connecticut

How do I become a cosmetologist in Connecticut? Connecticut requires credentials such as Hairdresser/Cosmetician. The licensing authority is the Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 1,500 hours of experience (roughly 0.8 years of full-time work) ³.

Do I need a license in Connecticut? Yes. Connecticut has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in Connecticut? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Connecticut is $44,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,010 and experienced professionals can earn $72,620 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: Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section
Median wage (Connecticut): $44,620 per year ¹

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Connecticut

The Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section oversees cosmetologist licensing in Connecticut ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Hairdresser/Cosmetician	An applicant for Connecticut hairdresser licensure must meet the following requirements: Have successfully completed at least the 9th grade or its equivalent; Equivalency may be demonstrated by succes…

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Connecticut

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	1,500	$46,470	$52,040	$34,010	$73,820
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford	1,180	$42,650	$47,650	$34,010	$70,920
New Haven	570	$36,480	$47,150	$34,010	$71,950
Waterbury-Shelton	430	$36,430	$46,180	$34,010	$62,290
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	280	$44,270	$48,770	$34,010	$71,530

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 Connecticut

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury	1,500	$46,470
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford	1,180	$42,650
New Haven	570	$36,480
Waterbury-Shelton	430	$36,430
Norwich-New London-Willimantic	280	$44,270

Explore More Trades in Connecticut

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Connecticut? Connecticut currently employs approximately 4,090 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cosmetologist in Connecticut with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do cosmetologists earn in Connecticut compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Connecticut is $44,620, which is $9,370 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Public Health - Practitioner Licensing & Investigations Section - Licensing Information: https://www.dph.state.ct.us/licensure/licensure.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)