How to Become A Cosmetologist in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 10,200 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 1. The state’s concentration of cosmetologist jobs is 1.26x 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 Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Virginia
How do I become a cosmetologist in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Barber Shop License, Body Piercing - Ear Only Salon License, Body Piercing Salon License. The licensing authority is the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Barbers and Cosmetology 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 Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Barbers and Cosmetology oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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 Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Barbers and Cosmetology oversees cosmetologist licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Barber Shop License | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Body Piercing - Ear Only Salon License | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Body Piercing Salon License | The Code of Virginia requires that any individual or entity operating a barbershop, cosmetology salon, nail care salon, waxing salon, tattoo parlor, body-piercing salon, or esthetics spa must be licen… |
| Cosmetologist License (individual) | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Cosmetology License and Cosmetologist Instructor Certificate | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo Salon License | Any individual wishing to operate a tattoo parlor, limited term tattoo parlor, or permanent cosmetic tattoo salon shall obtain a tattoo parlor license, limited term tattoo parlor license, or permanent… |
| Waxing Salon License | Any firm wishing to operate a barbershop, cosmetology salon, nail salon, or waxing salon shall obtain a shop or salon license in compliance with § 54.1-704.1 of the Code of Virginia |
| Cosmetology School License | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Barber Individual | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Barber School License | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Cosmetology Salon License | The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology licenses individuals and businesses that perform barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, tattooing, body piercing, and esthetics. |
| Nail Salon License | Any firm wishing to operate a barbershop, cosmetology salon, nail salon, or waxing salon shall obtain a shop or salon license in compliance with § 54.1-704.1 of the Code of Virginia |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 7,010 | $37,020 | $49,360 | $26,900 | $78,900 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 2,060 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Richmond | 1,660 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Roanoke | 340 | $27,750 | $34,610 | $25,810 | $48,550 |
| Charlottesville | 290 | $28,720 | $38,880 | $25,810 | $58,450 |
| Winchester | 180 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 170 | $29,700 | $49,720 | $25,810 | $82,950 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 120 | $28,820 | $32,800 | $23,440 | $45,190 |
| Harrisonburg | 110 | $27,730 | $33,800 | $25,810 | $48,080 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | 70 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 2,060 | n/a |
| Richmond | 1,660 | n/a |
| Roanoke | 340 | $27,750 |
| Charlottesville | 290 | $28,720 |
| Winchester | 180 | n/a |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 10,200 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Barbers and Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Barbers and Cosmetology - Licensing Information: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/BarberCosmo/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |