How to Become A Cosmetologist in New York
New York employs approximately 20,740 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,760 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 New York, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in New York
How do I become a cosmetologist in New York? New York requires credentials such as Cosmetologist, Natural Hairstylist, Esthetician, Nail Specialist, Waxing. The licensing authority is the NYS Department of State - One Commerce Plaza 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 New York? Yes. New York has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The NYS Department of State - One Commerce Plaza oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in New York? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New York is $35,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,960 and experienced professionals can earn $88,540 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: NYS Department of State - One Commerce Plaza
- Median wage (New York): $35,760 per year 1
Cosmetologist License Requirements in New York
The NYS Department of State - One Commerce Plaza oversees cosmetologist licensing in New York 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist, Natural Hairstylist, Esthetician, Nail Specialist, Waxing | The practice of “cosmetology” means providing service to the hair, head, face, neck or scalp of a human being, including but not limited to shaving, trimming, and cutting the hair or beard either by h… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in New York
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in New York vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 27,660 | $36,120 | $51,650 | $33,480 | $91,780 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 820 | $32,950 | $49,700 | $32,240 | $80,430 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 730 | $35,010 | $42,610 | $34,030 | $64,320 |
| Rochester | 730 | $36,830 | $48,740 | $32,240 | $73,620 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 660 | $34,670 | $46,750 | $32,240 | $75,780 |
| Syracuse | 390 | $34,810 | $57,880 | $32,240 | $121,720 |
| Binghamton | 160 | $33,620 | $45,560 | $32,240 | $75,630 |
| Kingston | 140 | $34,720 | $46,310 | $32,240 | $78,490 |
| Utica-Rome | 100 | $32,520 | $42,270 | $32,240 | $60,120 |
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 York
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within New York according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 27,660 | $36,120 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 820 | $32,950 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 730 | $35,010 |
| Rochester | 730 | $36,830 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 660 | $34,670 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in New York? New York currently employs approximately 20,740 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in New York with an out-of-state license? Contact the NYS Department of State - One Commerce Plaza for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New York.
How much do cosmetologists earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New York is $35,760, which is $510 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NYS Department of State - One Commerce Plaza - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.ny.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |