How to Become A Cosmetologist in Michigan
Michigan employs approximately 8,970 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,820 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 Michigan, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Michigan
How do I become a cosmetologist in Michigan? Michigan requires credentials such as Natural Hair Culturist, Apprentice, Natural Hair Culturist Limited Instructor, Barber Student Instructor. The licensing authority is the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 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 Michigan? Yes. Michigan has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Michigan is $34,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $25,960 and experienced professionals can earn $95,370 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Median wage (Michigan): $34,820 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing oversees cosmetologist licensing in Michigan 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Natural Hair Culturist, Apprentice | An apprentice must be under the supervision of a license holder and pay the registration of $25.00. |
| Natural Hair Culturist Limited Instructor | To receive a Natural Hair Culturist Limited Instructor License in Michigan, an applicant must first have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent, have completed at least 300 hours of instruct… |
| Barber Student Instructor | To receive a Barber Student Instructor license, an applicant must have received a high school diploma or equivalent, and must be a licensed barber with at least 2 years of experience. |
| Natural Hair Culturist | A manicurist must complete not less than 400 hours of training in a licensed school of cosmetology or perform a 6-month apprenticeship program within a licensed cosmetology establishment. |
| Barber | To receive a Barber’s License, an applicant must beat at least 17 years old, have completed the equivalent of a 10th grade education, complete at least 1,800 hours at a licensed barber college, and pa… |
| Barber Instructor | To receive a Barber Instructor License, an applicant must first have attained the equivalent of a high school diploma. |
| Cosmetologist, Apprentice | To receive a Cosmetology Apprentice License, an applicant must submit a registration application the Michigan Bureau of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and remit the $25.00 application fee. |
| Barber Student | To receive a Barber Student License, an applicant must have an education equivalent to completing the 10th grade. |
| Cosmetologist | To receive a Cosmetology License in Michigan, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, have attained the educational equivalent of 9th grade, and have completed at least 1,500 of cosmetology traini… |
| Cosmetology Instructor | To receive a Cosmetology Instructor License in Michigan, an applicant must have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent, have a current Michigan cosmetology license, and have at least 3 years… |
| Cosmetology, Limited Instructor | To receive a Cosmetology Limited Instructor’s License in Michigan, an applicant must have attained a high school diploma or its equivalent, have a current Michigan cosmetology license, and have comple… |
| Natural Hair Culturist Instructor | A natural hair culturist instructor must hold a current Michigan license, have at least 3 years of practical experience, and completed 300 hours of instructor training. |
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 Michigan
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 4,790 | $34,960 | $47,670 | $27,210 | $96,770 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,290 | $38,740 | $49,570 | $25,960 | $96,060 |
| Ann Arbor | 350 | $35,490 | $48,640 | $25,960 | $97,500 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 310 | $30,770 | $35,100 | $23,350 | $47,540 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 280 | $37,380 | $50,580 | $25,960 | $97,240 |
| Flint | 210 | $30,610 | $45,550 | $25,960 | $97,780 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 210 | $34,110 | $48,190 | $25,960 | $96,730 |
| Saginaw | 140 | $33,650 | $46,960 | $25,960 | $93,980 |
| Traverse City | 120 | $34,950 | $48,110 | $25,960 | $95,710 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 110 | $31,110 | $44,410 | $25,960 | $95,000 |
| Jackson | 100 | $30,640 | $43,030 | $25,960 | $83,170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 90 | $30,820 | $35,190 | $24,090 | $47,300 |
| Niles | 80 | $36,960 | $47,460 | $25,960 | $107,760 |
| Battle Creek | 70 | $34,770 | $46,440 | $25,960 | $91,940 |
| Bay City | 70 | $30,720 | $44,770 | $26,770 | $93,780 |
| Monroe | 70 | $30,690 | $45,290 | $25,960 | $91,060 |
| Midland | 50 | $35,580 | $45,800 | $25,960 | $80,020 |
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 Michigan
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Michigan according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 4,790 | $34,960 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,290 | $38,740 |
| Ann Arbor | 350 | $35,490 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 280 | $37,380 |
| Flint | 210 | $30,610 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 8,970 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Michigan.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Michigan is $34,820, which is $430 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |