How to Become A Cosmetologist in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 5,320 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,170 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 Minnesota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Minnesota
How do I become a cosmetologist in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Cosmetology -Individual Licenses. The licensing authority is the BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners 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 Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Minnesota is $39,170 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,590 and experienced professionals can earn $78,880 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: BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners
- Median wage (Minnesota): $39,170 per year 1
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Minnesota
The BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners oversees cosmetologist licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology -Individual Licenses | Minnesota Board of Cosmetology Review: Practitioners Students and First-Time Applicants Renew Your License: Practitioners License Transfers: Domestic & Foreign None |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 3,920 | $46,310 | $50,100 | $25,640 | $82,500 |
| Fargo | 350 | $34,910 | $43,430 | $26,560 | $76,910 |
| Sioux Falls | 320 | $50,500 | $49,300 | $32,940 | $60,290 |
| Duluth | 270 | $35,080 | $41,390 | $23,580 | $61,170 |
| St. Cloud | 220 | $35,310 | $45,820 | $23,150 | $80,430 |
| Rochester | 190 | $39,460 | $49,150 | $23,880 | $77,700 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 170 | $35,090 | $35,730 | $24,130 | $47,780 |
| Mankato | 130 | $35,010 | $42,930 | $23,190 | $79,560 |
| Grand Forks | 80 | $31,620 | $36,290 | $24,130 | $53,360 |
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 Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 3,920 | $46,310 |
| Duluth | 270 | $35,080 |
| St. Cloud | 220 | $35,310 |
| Rochester | 190 | $39,460 |
| Mankato | 130 | $35,010 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 5,320 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Minnesota is $39,170, which is $3,920 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.bceboard.state.mn.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |