How to Become A Cosmetologist in Kentucky
Kentucky employs approximately 2,350 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $29,840 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 Kentucky, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Kentucky
How do I become a cosmetologist in Kentucky? Kentucky requires credentials such as Cosmetologist Instructor, Apprentice Instructor/Cosmetologist Instructor, Cosmetologist - Hairdresser. The licensing authority is the Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Cosmetology 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 Kentucky? Yes. Kentucky has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Cosmetology oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Kentucky is $29,840 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,580 and experienced professionals can earn $76,170 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: Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Cosmetology
- Median wage (Kentucky): $29,840 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Cosmetology oversees cosmetologist licensing in Kentucky 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist Instructor | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Teaches students in all phases of cosmetology. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Must be a high school graduate or equivalent. |
| Apprentice Instructor/Cosmetologist Instructor | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Teaches students in all phases of cosmetology. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Must be a high school graduate or equivalent. |
| Cosmetologist - Hairdresser | GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION Provides cutting, permanent waving, dressing, styling, finger waving, marvelling, pressing, tinting, bleaching and shampooing hair for customers. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 2,540 | $36,790 | $46,010 | $24,230 | $80,150 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 930 | $33,620 | $46,780 | $23,580 | $89,750 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 530 | $29,230 | $37,880 | $22,580 | $63,230 |
| Clarksville | 160 | $29,900 | $33,630 | $22,280 | $47,800 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 140 | $29,580 | $37,560 | $21,880 | $58,250 |
| Bowling Green | 100 | $28,580 | $38,580 | $23,260 | $56,210 |
| Elizabethtown | 70 | $28,390 | $39,380 | $22,280 | $76,790 |
| Owensboro | 40 | $27,890 | $36,960 | $22,530 | $74,380 |
| 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 Kentucky
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Kentucky according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 930 | $33,620 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 530 | $29,230 |
| Bowling Green | 100 | $28,580 |
| Elizabethtown | 70 | $28,390 |
| Owensboro | 40 | $27,890 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 2,350 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Contact the Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kentucky.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Kentucky is $29,840, which is $5,410 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Commonwealth of Kentucky - Board of Cosmetology - Licensing Information: http://kbc.ky.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |