How to Become A Cosmetologist in Oregon
Oregon employs approximately 1,860 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,580 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 Oregon, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Oregon
How do I become a cosmetologist in Oregon? Oregon requires credentials such as Cosmetology: Esthetics, Cosmetology: Barbering, Cosmetology: Hair Design. The licensing authority is the Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office 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 Oregon? Yes. Oregon has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Oregon? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Oregon is $57,580 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,880 and experienced professionals can earn $76,810 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: Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office
- Median wage (Oregon): $57,580 per year 1
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Oregon
The Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office oversees cosmetologist licensing in Oregon 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Cosmetology: Esthetics | Estheticians provide services to keep skin healthy and attractive. Estheticians use their hands or mechanical or electrical apparatuses or appliances for cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, exfoliat… |
| Cosmetology: Barbering | A separate discipline from hair design, barbering includes the practice of shaving, trimming, or cutting of the beard, and the arranging, cutting, styling, dressing, shampooing, cleansing and conditio… |
| Cosmetology: Hair Design | Hair designers shampoo, cut, style, condition and singe hair and apply chemical treatments such as coloring, dyeing, relaxing and permanent waves. |
| Cosmetology: Nail Technology | Nail technicians cut, trim, clean, polish, color or tint the natural nails on hands and feet and massage, cleanse, treat and beautify the hands, arms (below the elbow) and legs (below the knee). |
| Cosmetology: Independent Contractor | A licensed cosmetology practitioner who qualifies as an independent contractor under https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors670. |
| Cosmetology: Freelance Authorization | Allows a licensed practitioner to provide services outside of a licensed facility, in the customer’s home or business. |
| Cosmetology: Demonstration Permit | Allows practice on a limited basis for a maximum of 30 days, for demonstration/educational purposes. |
| Cosmetology: Natural Hair Care | “Natural hair care” means the braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping of human hair, natural fibers, synthetic fibers or hair extensions through the use… |
| Cosmetology (Barbering, Esthetics, Hair Design, Nail Technology, Natural Hair Care, Eyelash Services) | Qualified applicants may earn certification in one or more of five individual fields of practice in cosmetology: barbering, esthetics, hair design, nail technology, eyelash services, and natural hair… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Oregon
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Oregon vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 1,500 | $59,610 | $60,670 | $35,350 | $77,620 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 180 | $49,570 | $50,990 | $31,680 | $69,750 |
| Salem | 130 | $50,960 | $50,560 | $33,780 | $69,960 |
| Corvallis | 120 | $61,880 | $62,120 | $36,120 | $104,890 |
| Medford | 120 | $49,480 | $49,620 | $31,580 | $70,440 |
| Bend | 80 | $51,640 | $52,470 | $31,930 | $73,640 |
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 Oregon
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Oregon according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 1,500 | $59,610 |
| Eugene-Springfield | 180 | $49,570 |
| Salem | 130 | $50,960 |
| Corvallis | 120 | $61,880 |
| Medford | 120 | $49,480 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Oregon? Oregon currently employs approximately 1,860 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Oregon with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Oregon? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Oregon.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Oregon compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Oregon is $57,580, which is $22,330 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oregon Health Authority - Health Licensing Office - Licensing Information: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/hlo/Pages/index.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |