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

"The primary New Hampshire license requires approximately 1,500 hours of qualifying experience, which is roughly 0.8 years of full-time work."

"Do cosmetologists need a license in New Hampshire?"

"Yes. New Hampshire requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in New Hampshire?"

"In New Hampshire, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Hampshire Department of Education - Registered Apprenticeship, 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 New Hampshire

Q: "How much do cosmetologists earn in New Hampshire?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in New Hampshire earned a median annual wage of approximately $34,650. Employment concentration in New Hampshire is about 1.45 times the national average for this occupation."

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

"New Hampshire currently employs approximately 1,950 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

New Hampshire hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $34,650 ($16.66/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,950 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -3.2% below the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $34,650 ($16.66/hr)
25th percentile: $28,490 per year
75th percentile: $46,450 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $58,210 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $25,720 per year
Workers employed in New Hampshire: 1,950
Versus national median: -3.2% below the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.45 - this occupation is more concentrated in New Hampshire than the national average

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

New Hampshire employs approximately 1,950 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,650 ¹. The state’s concentration of cosmetologist jobs is 1.45x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 New Hampshire, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in New Hampshire

How do I become a cosmetologist in New Hampshire? New Hampshire requires credentials such as Cosmetologist, Barber, Barber, Master. The licensing authority is the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 1,500 hours of experience (roughly 0.8 years of full-time work) ³.

Do I need a license in New Hampshire? Yes. New Hampshire has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in New Hampshire? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New Hampshire is $34,650 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $25,720 and experienced professionals can earn $58,210 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: Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
Median wage (New Hampshire): $34,650 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Cosmetologist License Requirements in New Hampshire

The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification oversees cosmetologist licensing in New Hampshire ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Cosmetologist	Cosmetologists help people look attractive by giving shampoos, cutting and styling hair and giving advice on hair care. Straighten, curl, bleach, or dye hair.
Barber	Barbers cut, trim, and style hair and beards. Many offer other services such as hair and scalp treatments, face massages, shaves, and shampoos.
Barber, Master	Barbers cut, trim, and style hair and beards. Many offer other services such as hair and scalp treatments, face massages, shaves, and shampoos.
Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics, or Manicurist Instructor	Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics, or Manicurist Instructors teach students in public or private schools.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: State exam required
Experience: No experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in New Hampshire

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in New Hampshire

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Boston-Cambridge-Newton	7,870	$37,430	$49,010	$31,600	$78,850
Manchester-Nashua	670	$33,510	$35,480	$25,720	$52,210

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 New Hampshire

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Manchester-Nashua	670	$33,510

Explore More Trades in New Hampshire

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in New Hampshire? New Hampshire currently employs approximately 1,950 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cosmetologist in New Hampshire with an out-of-state license? Contact the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do cosmetologists earn in New Hampshire compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New Hampshire is $34,650, which is $600 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification - Licensing Information: https://www.oplc.nh.gov/board-barbering-cosmetology-and-esthetics ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)