How to Become A Cosmetologist in Florida
Florida employs approximately 23,530 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $29,530 1. The state’s concentration of cosmetologist jobs is 1.21x 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 Florida, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Florida
How do I become a cosmetologist in Florida? Florida requires credentials such as Restricted Barbers, Barbers, Hair Braider. The licensing authority is the FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation - Division of Professions 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 Florida? Yes. Florida has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation - Division of Professions oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Florida? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Florida is $29,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $27,450 and experienced professionals can earn $58,320 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: FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation - Division of Professions
- Median wage (Florida): $29,530 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Florida
The FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation - Division of Professions oversees cosmetologist licensing in Florida 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Restricted Barbers | Florida Statute 476. A “restricted barber” is a person whose practice is restricted to the terms, conditions and restrictions imposed on their license such as: hair cutting, shave, shampoo, blow dry ha… |
| Barbers | Florida Statute 476. A “barber” is a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of barbering in the State of Florida. |
| Hair Braider | F.S. 477. A “hair braider” means a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of weaving or interweaving natural human hair for compensation without cutting, coloring, permanent waving, relaxing… |
| Cosmetologist | F.S. 477. A “cosmetologist” means a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of cosmetology which includes the mechanical or chemical treatment of the head, face, and scalp for aesthetic rathe… |
| Barber Assistant | Florida Statute 476. A “barber assistant” is a person whose practice is confined solely to shampooing hair and applying hair tonics or conditioner under the supervision of a licensed Barber. |
| Hair Wrapper | F.S. 477. A “hair wrapper” means a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of wrapping manufactured materials around a strand or strands of human hair, for compensation, without cutting, colo… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Florida
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 4,910 | $29,790 | $35,780 | $28,160 | $54,850 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 4,540 | $29,520 | $39,520 | $28,130 | $66,370 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 3,090 | $29,470 | $35,230 | $27,080 | $57,250 |
| Jacksonville | 1,930 | $28,900 | $35,210 | $27,500 | $54,940 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 1,540 | $29,690 | $37,470 | $28,520 | $60,300 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 1,010 | $29,760 | $35,330 | $28,090 | $55,240 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 800 | $33,480 | $38,660 | $29,790 | $60,230 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 770 | $29,020 | $34,200 | $27,510 | $54,850 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 540 | $28,370 | $33,080 | $27,040 | $48,970 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 500 | $29,030 | $33,990 | $27,040 | $51,060 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 460 | $29,940 | $35,810 | $27,040 | $59,920 |
| Port St. Lucie | 420 | $29,200 | $36,230 | $27,340 | $59,870 |
| Tallahassee | 410 | $29,010 | $34,120 | $27,040 | $60,830 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | 310 | $29,250 | $33,200 | $27,040 | $48,500 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 290 | $29,830 | $34,760 | $27,930 | $49,830 |
| Ocala | 270 | $27,180 | $31,490 | $27,040 | $39,340 |
| Gainesville | 260 | $27,930 | $32,820 | $27,040 | $48,580 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | 210 | $27,170 | $31,630 | $27,040 | $46,900 |
| Punta Gorda | 200 | $29,160 | $34,190 | $27,040 | $51,460 |
| Homosassa Springs | 170 | $30,250 | $34,000 | $27,040 | $54,100 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | 150 | $29,200 | $34,170 | $27,170 | $49,850 |
| Sebring | 30 | $36,000 | $36,310 | $27,040 | $41,740 |
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 Florida
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Florida according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 4,910 | $29,790 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 4,540 | $29,520 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 3,090 | $29,470 |
| Jacksonville | 1,930 | $28,900 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 1,540 | $29,690 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Florida? Florida currently employs approximately 23,530 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Florida with an out-of-state license? Contact the FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation - Division of Professions for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Florida.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Florida compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Florida is $29,530, which is $5,720 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
FL Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation - Division of Professions - Licensing Information: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |