How to Become A Cosmetologist in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 5,920 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $32,830 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 Indiana, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Indiana
How do I become a cosmetologist in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Beauty Culture Instructor, Barber, Cosmetologist. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 1,000 hours of experience (roughly 0.5 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Indiana is $32,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,890 and experienced professionals can earn $58,620 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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
- Median wage (Indiana): $32,830 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners oversees cosmetologist licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Beauty Culture Instructor | All applications must be complete and accurate upon receipt to be fully processed. All applications must be accompanied by the $40.00 application fee. Applicant must be at least 18 years of age. |
| Barber | Applicant must be at least 18 years of age; or 17 years of age and a graduate of high school or equivalent. 1500 hours of barbering education completed at an Indiana beauty culture school. |
| Cosmetologist | All applications must be complete and accurate upon receipt to be fully processed. All applications must be accompanied by the $40.00 application fee. Applicant must be at least 18 years of age. |
| Provisional Cosmetologist | Applicant’s jurisdiction does not issue a license to practice cosmetology (has only a school certificate to practice in the jurisdiction. |
| Temporary Cosmetologist | IC 25-8-4-2.9 Provisional license; cosmetologist Sec. 2.9. (a) This section applies only to applications for a cosmetologist license under this article. |
| Barber Instructor | INDIANA CODE 25-8-6.4 Chapter 6.4. Barber Instructor Licenses Sec. 1. The board may license a person to be an instructor. Sec. 2. |
| Temporary Barber | Sec. 1. The board may license a person to be a barber. Sec. 2. A person must file a verified application with the board on a form prescribed by the board to obtain a barber license.Sec. 3. |
| Temporary Barber Instructor | Sec. 1. The board may license a person to be an instructor. Sec. 2. A person must file a verified application with the board on a form prescribed by the board to obtain an instructor license. Sec. 3. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Indiana 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 |
| Cincinnati | 2,540 | $36,790 | $46,010 | $24,230 | $80,150 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 2,240 | $34,380 | $38,160 | $23,890 | $62,640 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 930 | $33,620 | $46,780 | $23,580 | $89,750 |
| Fort Wayne | 470 | $29,950 | $35,200 | $23,360 | $50,410 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 310 | $30,770 | $35,100 | $23,350 | $47,540 |
| Evansville | 270 | $29,700 | $34,390 | $23,240 | $49,530 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 220 | $31,270 | $36,110 | $24,130 | $50,900 |
| Bloomington | 120 | $30,360 | $32,920 | $23,230 | $45,880 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | 100 | $29,780 | $34,810 | $23,900 | $49,530 |
| Kokomo | 90 | $30,320 | $38,930 | $21,940 | $61,290 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 90 | $30,820 | $35,190 | $24,090 | $47,300 |
| Terre Haute | 90 | $28,280 | $32,160 | $22,990 | $46,670 |
| Muncie | 60 | $31,020 | $34,640 | $24,730 | $49,760 |
| Columbus | 40 | $31,300 | $32,950 | $25,830 | $48,260 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 2,240 | $34,380 |
| Fort Wayne | 470 | $29,950 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 310 | $30,770 |
| Evansville | 270 | $29,700 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 220 | $31,270 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 5,920 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Indiana is $32,830, which is $2,420 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners - Licensing Information: https://www.in.gov/pla/cosmo.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) |