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

"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."

"Do cosmetologists need a license in Oklahoma?"

"Yes. Oklahoma requires state-level licensing or registration for cosmetologists, administered by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for cosmetologists in Oklahoma?"

"In Oklahoma, apprenticeships are typically registered through state apprenticeship agencies and trade union locals. See the apprenticeship section above for current contact information."

How to Become A Cosmetologist in Oklahoma

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

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cosmetologists in Oklahoma earned a median annual wage of approximately $29,650. Employment concentration in Oklahoma is roughly 0.57 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 Oklahoma?"

"Oklahoma currently employs approximately 1,920 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

Oklahoma hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn a median annual wage of $29,650 ($14.26/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,920 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -17.2% below the national median of $35,790 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $29,650 ($14.26/hr)
25th percentile: $23,070 per year
75th percentile: $44,260 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $60,390 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $18,980 per year
Workers employed in Oklahoma: 1,920
Versus national median: -17.2% below the U.S. median of $35,790
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.57 - this occupation is less concentrated in Oklahoma than the national average

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

Oklahoma employs approximately 1,920 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $29,650 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 Oklahoma, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Oklahoma

How do I become a cosmetologist in Oklahoma? Oklahoma requires credentials such as Barber / Barber Instructor, Cosmetologist. The licensing authority is the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering 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 Oklahoma? Yes. Oklahoma has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do cosmetologists earn in Oklahoma? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Oklahoma is $29,650 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $18,980 and experienced professionals can earn $60,390 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: Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
Median wage (Oklahoma): $29,650 per year ¹
Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering oversees cosmetologist licensing in Oklahoma ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Barber / Barber Instructor	JOB DESCRIPTION: A barber, barber instructor, or an apprentice barber cuts, shampoos, or styles hair according to customer instructions.
Cosmetologist	JOB DESCRIPTION: A cosmetologist/hairdresser/hairstylist shampoos, cuts, and styles hair. The cosmetologist also analyzes the condition of hair and advises patrons on proper hair care.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: Third-party exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Oklahoma City	810	$29,700	$36,870	$18,980	$61,970
Tulsa	770	$29,860	$36,470	$19,110	$62,050
Fort Smith	70	$28,090	$31,520	$23,640	$46,110
Lawton	70	$28,050	$32,070	$19,600	$46,940

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 Oklahoma

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Oklahoma City	810	$29,700
Tulsa	770	$29,860
Lawton	70	$28,050

Explore More Trades in Oklahoma

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Oklahoma? Oklahoma currently employs approximately 1,920 cosmetologists ¹. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a cosmetologist in Oklahoma with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

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

How much do cosmetologists earn in Oklahoma compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Oklahoma is $29,650, which is $5,600 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering - Licensing Information: https://www.ok.gov/cosmo/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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)