How to Become A Cosmetologist in Missouri
Missouri employs approximately 5,430 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $30,750 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 Missouri, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Missouri
How do I become a cosmetologist in Missouri? Missouri requires credentials such as Barber, Student Instructor Cosmetologist, Cosmetologist/All-Barber. The licensing authority is the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - 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 Missouri? Yes. Missouri has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Missouri is $30,750 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,600 and experienced professionals can earn $58,530 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: Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
- Median wage (Missouri): $30,750 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners oversees cosmetologist licensing in Missouri 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Barber | Applicant for licensure by examination shall pay required fee, be at least 17 years old, of good moral character, free of contagious or infectious diseases, has studied at least 1000 hours under licen… |
| Student Instructor Cosmetologist | Applicant must complete 600 hours of instructor training before taking the examination. |
| Cosmetologist/All-Barber | Cosmetologist/All-Barber |
| Cosmetologist, All Other | An applicant for licensure must the board with a written application, and shall submit proof of the required age, educational qualifications, and of good moral character together with the required cos… |
| Cosmetology Apprentice | Applicants to be licensed with the board shall pay all appropriate fees, of good moral character, education equivalent to successful completion of the 10th grade, and supply the board with a written a… |
| Temporary Cosmetologist Student | Applicants shall file an application submitting prove of required age, education qualifications, and of good moral character. |
| Barber Apprentice | Barber Apprentice |
| Cosmetology Esthetics | An applicant for licensure must the board with a written application, and shall submit proof of the required age, educational qualifications, and of good moral character together with the required cos… |
| Barber Instructor | An applicant for an instructor license by examination shall first hold a current Missouri barber license. |
| Cosmetology/Barber Instructor | Cosmetology/Barber Instructor |
| Hair Braiding | Hair Braiding |
| Cosmetologist/Hairdressing | An applicant for licensure must the board with a written application, and shall submit proof of the required age, educational qualifications, and of good moral character together with the required cos… |
| Hairdressing and Manicuring | Hairdressing and Manicuring |
| Hairdresser | Hairdresser |
| Cosmetology Instructor | An applicant shall submit to the board a written application showing the applicant has meet the requirements set forth in RS. MO. section 329.080 and pay the required fees. |
| Cosmetologist/Manicuring | An applicant for licensure must the board with a written application, and shall submit proof of the required age, educational qualifications, and of good moral character together with the required cos… |
| Student Barber | Student Barber |
| Student Cosmetologist | Applicants shall pay the proper fee, be of good moral character, have an education equivalent to the successful completion of the tenth grade, and follow the enrollment guidelines. |
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 Missouri
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Missouri vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 2,830 | $33,350 | $42,640 | $28,950 | $63,650 |
| Kansas City | 2,220 | $31,520 | $41,280 | $28,300 | $79,350 |
| Springfield | 500 | $29,500 | $38,370 | $28,600 | $60,040 |
| Columbia | 270 | $35,900 | $40,390 | $28,600 | $55,410 |
| Joplin | 130 | $28,600 | $32,300 | $28,600 | $37,110 |
| Jefferson City | 110 | $28,630 | $39,280 | $28,600 | $60,220 |
| Cape Girardeau | 100 | $28,800 | $39,600 | $28,600 | $58,890 |
| St. Joseph | 40 | $28,730 | $33,050 | $28,600 | $36,800 |
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 Missouri
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Missouri according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 2,830 | $33,350 |
| Kansas City | 2,220 | $31,520 |
| Springfield | 500 | $29,500 |
| Columbia | 270 | $35,900 |
| Joplin | 130 | $28,600 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 5,430 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Missouri with an out-of-state license? Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Missouri.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Missouri is $30,750, which is $4,500 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance - Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners - Licensing Information: http://pr.mo.gov/cosbar.asp ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |