How to Become A Cosmetologist in Georgia
Georgia employs approximately 7,910 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,560 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 Georgia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Georgia
How do I become a cosmetologist in Georgia? Georgia requires credentials such as Cosmetology Apprentice, Master Cosmetologist. The licensing authority is the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 17 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Georgia? Yes. Georgia has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Georgia is $34,560 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $17,310 and experienced professionals can earn $79,170 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: Georgia State Board of Cosmetology
- Median wage (Georgia): $34,560 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Both state and third-party exams required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Georgia
The Georgia State Board of Cosmetology oversees cosmetologist licensing in Georgia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology Apprentice | Cosmetologists apprentice learns from the cosmetologist that provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. |
| Master Cosmetologist | Cosmetologists provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Any conviction is prohibited
- Exam: Both state and third-party exams required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Georgia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 5,760 | $34,640 | $44,630 | $17,630 | $80,880 |
| Chattanooga | 410 | $30,380 | $36,690 | $23,370 | $57,630 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 350 | $29,430 | $37,770 | $20,690 | $75,390 |
| Savannah | 310 | $30,210 | $38,130 | $17,340 | $77,670 |
| Columbus | 210 | $29,790 | $35,140 | $16,790 | $62,150 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 170 | $30,250 | $40,040 | $17,300 | $75,230 |
| Gainesville | 140 | $28,930 | $33,060 | $17,400 | $61,580 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | 110 | $30,260 | $35,530 | $17,370 | $63,870 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 110 | $26,280 | $37,970 | $17,590 | $66,810 |
| Albany | 30 | $23,760 | $32,130 | $17,070 | $57,580 |
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 Georgia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 5,760 | $34,640 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 350 | $29,430 |
| Savannah | 310 | $30,210 |
| Columbus | 210 | $29,790 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 170 | $30,250 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 7,910 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Georgia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Georgia is $34,560, which is $690 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Georgia State Board of Cosmetology - Licensing Information: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |