How to Become A Cosmetologist in Washington
Washington employs approximately 6,930 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,510 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 Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Washington
How to become a cosmetologist in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Instructor (Cosmetology), Cosmetologist. The licensing authority is the Department of Ecology 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 Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The Department of Ecology oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Washington? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Washington is $59,510 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,830 and experienced professionals can earn $99,970 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 Ecology
- Median wage (Washington): $59,510 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Ecology oversees cosmetologist licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Instructor (Cosmetology) | Individuals must have graduated from an approved an licensed school with the requried 500 classroom hours, pass the state-approved written and performance examiniations and pay the required $25 fee. |
| Cosmetologist | Individuals must graduate from licensed and approved costetology school of at least 1,600 hours or successfully complete a state-approved apprenticeship training program of at least 2,000 hours in cos… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Washington 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 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 4,510 | $59,810 | $65,920 | $38,910 | $101,340 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 1,500 | $59,610 | $60,670 | $35,350 | $77,620 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 570 | $61,440 | $65,150 | $35,470 | $100,180 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 290 | $49,840 | $58,660 | $35,320 | $94,640 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 250 | $49,640 | $53,290 | $34,970 | $76,670 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 200 | $58,150 | $60,560 | $35,750 | $79,000 |
| Bellingham | 160 | $61,820 | $64,360 | $35,470 | $109,340 |
| Lewiston | 100 | $37,820 | $38,450 | $22,710 | $51,210 |
| Yakima | 100 | $46,270 | $54,800 | $34,650 | $95,560 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 70 | $38,810 | $49,860 | $34,650 | $78,120 |
| Longview-Kelso | 40 | $36,590 | $52,120 | $34,780 | $80,460 |
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 .
Top Metros for Cosmetologists in Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 4,510 | $59,810 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 570 | $61,440 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 290 | $49,840 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 250 | $49,640 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 200 | $58,150 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 6,930 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Ecology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Washington is $59,510, which is $24,260 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
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Department of Ecology - Licensing Information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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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) |