How to Become A Cosmetologist in Illinois
Illinois employs approximately 13,190 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,040 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 Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Illinois
How do I become a cosmetologist in Illinois? Illinois requires credentials such as BARBER, COSMETOLOGIST, BARBER TEACHER. The licensing authority is the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation 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 Illinois? Yes. Illinois has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Illinois is $34,040 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $31,200 and experienced professionals can earn $58,960 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: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- Median wage (Illinois): $34,040 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation oversees cosmetologist licensing in Illinois 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| BARBER | An individual who, through the application of preparations and the use of mechanical devices, performs personal services such as shaving or trimming the beard; facial and scalp treatment with oils, cr… |
| COSMETOLOGIST | An individual who, for cosmetic or beautifying purposes, performs various services upon the hair such as dressing, cutting, bleaching, curling and chemical restructuring. |
| BARBER TEACHER | An individual who trains others in the practice and theory of barbering, which includes the application of preparations and use of mechanical devices to perform personal services such as shaving or tr… |
| COSMETOLOGY TEACHER | An individual who trains another in the proper application and treatment of cosmetic preparations to the human body by massaging, cleansing, toning, or by means of devices, apparatus or appliances. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 12,000 | $34,260 | $39,760 | $31,200 | $58,960 |
| St. Louis | 2,830 | $33,350 | $42,640 | $28,950 | $63,650 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 420 | $33,580 | $40,210 | $26,780 | $59,460 |
| Peoria | 340 | $32,280 | $35,660 | $31,200 | $39,070 |
| Springfield | 280 | $31,200 | $37,390 | $31,200 | $54,510 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 180 | $33,840 | $48,710 | $31,200 | $85,790 |
| Cape Girardeau | 100 | $28,800 | $39,600 | $28,600 | $58,890 |
| Decatur | 70 | $32,620 | $38,290 | $31,200 | $53,840 |
| Kankakee | 40 | $31,200 | $38,700 | $31,200 | $54,390 |
| Paducah | 40 | $28,350 | $35,550 | $22,250 | $71,840 |
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 Illinois
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Illinois according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 12,000 | $34,260 |
| Peoria | 340 | $32,280 |
| Springfield | 280 | $31,200 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 180 | $33,840 |
| Decatur | 70 | $32,620 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 13,190 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Illinois is $34,040, which is $1,210 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.idfpr.com/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |