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

"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."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Montana?"

"In Montana, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Montana Apprenticeship and Training 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 Montana

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,000. Employment concentration in Montana is roughly 0.68 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 Montana?"

"Montana currently employs approximately 690 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

Montana hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $38,000 ($18.27/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 690 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 6.2% above the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $38,000 ($18.27/hr)
25th percentile: $24,270 per year
75th percentile: $59,900 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,440 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $22,160 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 690
Versus national median: 6.2% above the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.68 - this occupation is less concentrated in Montana than the national average

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

Montana employs approximately 690 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,000 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 Montana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Montana

How do I become a cosmetologist in Montana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cosmetologists in Montana.

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.

What do cosmetologists earn in Montana? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Montana is $38,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,160 and experienced professionals can earn $75,440 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Montana): $38,000 per year ¹

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Montana

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	130	$40,950	$43,530	$22,690	$76,240
Helena	70	$38,160	$45,890	$22,550	$83,870
Great Falls	60	$42,450	$45,310	$21,940	$60,810

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 Montana

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Billings	130	$40,950
Helena	70	$38,160
Great Falls	60	$42,450

Explore More Trades in Montana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 690 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do cosmetologists earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Montana is $38,000, which is $2,750 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)