How to Become A Cosmetologist in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 6,080 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $31,310 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 Tennessee, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Tennessee
How do I become a cosmetologist in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as TN BEAUTY PAGEANT OPERATOR, COSMETOLOGIST. The licensing authority is the Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division of Consumer Services. 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 Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Tennessee is $31,310 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $25,700 and experienced professionals can earn $58,000 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: Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division of Consumer Services
- Median wage (Tennessee): $31,310 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Tennessee
The Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division of Consumer Services oversees cosmetologist licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| TN BEAUTY PAGEANT OPERATOR | REGISTERED BEAUTY PAGEANT OPERATOR Operate any contest or competition in which entrants are judged on the basis of physical beauty, skill, talent, poise, and personality, and in which a winner… |
| COSMETOLOGIST | COSMETOLOGIST A cosmetologist performs, for compensation, arranging, dressing, curling, waving, cleansing, cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring, or similar work on the hair. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 2,770 | $34,430 | $40,180 | $28,080 | $62,430 |
| Memphis | 1,000 | $30,980 | $35,980 | $25,370 | $48,120 |
| Knoxville | 910 | $30,650 | $38,460 | $23,960 | $63,100 |
| Chattanooga | 410 | $30,380 | $36,690 | $23,370 | $57,630 |
| Johnson City | 180 | $28,980 | $32,350 | $22,850 | $44,200 |
| Clarksville | 160 | $29,900 | $33,630 | $22,280 | $47,800 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 120 | $28,820 | $32,800 | $23,440 | $45,190 |
| Morristown | 50 | $29,210 | $31,600 | $24,150 | $47,030 |
| Cleveland | 40 | $30,390 | $38,800 | $19,750 | $62,610 |
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 Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 2,770 | $34,430 |
| Memphis | 1,000 | $30,980 |
| Knoxville | 910 | $30,650 |
| Chattanooga | 410 | $30,380 |
| Johnson City | 180 | $28,980 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 6,080 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Commerce and Insurance - Division of Consumer Services for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Tennessee is $31,310, which is $3,940 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |