"How long does it take to become a cosmetologist in Maine?"

"Most paths into the cosmetologist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do cosmetologists need a license in Maine?"

"Yes. Maine requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the Maine Department of Professional \u0026 Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Maine?"

"In Maine, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Maine Apprenticeship Program, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Cosmetologist in Maine

Q: "How much do cosmetologists earn in Maine?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Maine earned a median annual wage of approximately $44,000. Employment concentration in Maine is roughly 0.77 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Maine?"

"Maine currently employs approximately 970 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Maine hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $44,000 ($21.16/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 970 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 22.9% above the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $44,000 ($21.16/hr)
25th percentile: $37,000 per year
75th percentile: $61,860 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $63,640 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $30,640 per year
Workers employed in Maine: 970
Versus national median: 22.9% above the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.77 - this occupation is less concentrated in Maine than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Maine employs approximately 970 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,000 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 Maine, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Maine

How do I become a cosmetologist in Maine? Maine requires credentials such as Cosmetologist, Cosmetologist, Instructor, Cosmetologist, Trainee (Apprentice). The licensing authority is the Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational 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 Maine? Yes. Maine has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in Maine? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Maine is $44,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,640 and experienced professionals can earn $63,640 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: Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Median wage (Maine): $44,000 per year ¹

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Maine

The Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees cosmetologist licensing in Maine ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Cosmetologist	Cosmetologists serve customers by providing various beauty services, such as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, scalp and facial treatments, and make-up application.
Cosmetologist, Instructor	Cosmetologist instructors teach students how to serve customers by providing various beauty services, such as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, scalp and facial treatments, and make-up application.
Cosmetologist, Trainee (Apprentice)	Cosmetologist apprentices learn to serve customers by providing various beauty services, such as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, scalp and facial treatments, and make-up application.
Barbering & Cosmetology, Level 1 Establishment	Cosmetologist booths are facilities where cosmetologists serve customers by providing various beauty services, such as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, scalp and facial treatments, and make-up appl…
Barbering & Cosmetology, Level 2 Establishment	Cosmetologist shops are facilities where cosmetologists serve customers by providing various beauty services, such as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, scalp and facial treatments, and make-up appli…
Cosmetologist, Temporary Permit	Cosmetologists serve customers by providing various beauty services, such as hair styling, manicures, pedicures, scalp and facial treatments, and make-up application.
Barber, Instructor	Barber instructors are licensed professionals who teach the practice of barbering, hair cutting, and styling.
Barber, Apprentice	Apprentice barbers cut, trim, and shape hair into desired styles. They utilize clippers, combs, brushes, scissors, and hair dryers to style and cut hair.
Barber, Temporary Permit	Barbers cut, trim, and shape hair into desired styles. They utilize clippers, combs, brushes, scissors, and hair dryers to style and cut hair.
Barber	Barbers cut, trim, and shape hair into desired styles. They utilize clippers, combs, brushes, scissors, and hair dryers to style and cut hair.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Maine

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Maine

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Maine vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Portland-South Portland	600	$46,460	$51,280	$33,240	$74,540
Bangor	80	$37,050	$43,000	$30,470	$59,930
Lewiston-Auburn	80	$38,200	$46,800	$30,470	$60,280

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 Maine

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Maine according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Portland-South Portland	600	$46,460
Bangor	80	$37,050
Lewiston-Auburn	80	$38,200

Explore More Trades in Maine

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 970 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cosmetologist in Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maine.

How much do cosmetologists earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Maine is $44,000, which is $8,750 above 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)