How to Become A Cosmetologist in Wisconsin
Wisconsin employs approximately 6,260 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,230 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 Wisconsin, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Cosmetologist in Wisconsin
How do I become a cosmetologist in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR, BARBERING MANAGER, COSMETOLOGY MANAGER. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 2,000 hours of experience (roughly 1.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for cosmetologists. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do cosmetologists earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Wisconsin is $36,230 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,790 and experienced professionals can earn $58,970 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: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $36,230 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Cosmetologist License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees cosmetologist licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR | A cosmetology instructor is a person who provides practical instruction in cosmetology in a school licensed by the Department. |
| BARBERING MANAGER | A barbering manager is a person who practices barbering and who is responsible for supervising and managing the operation of an establishment and ensuring that the establishment operates in compliance… |
| COSMETOLOGY MANAGER | A cosmetology manager is a person who practices cosmetology and who is responsible for supervising and managing the operation of an establishment and ensuring that the establishment operates in compli… |
| BARBERING & COSMETOLOGY PRACTITIONER | A barber cosmetologist practitioner is a person who practices barbering or cosmetology. |
| BARBERING INSTRUCTOR | A barbering instructor is a person who provides practical instruction in barbering in a school licensed by the Department. |
| BARBERING & COSMETOLOGY APPRENTICE | An apprentice is a person who is contracted to an owner of an establishment or his/her designated agent, who is responsible for the supervision and training of the person in all branches of practical… |
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 Wisconsin
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 3,920 | $46,310 | $50,100 | $25,640 | $82,500 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 2,070 | $38,190 | $41,490 | $26,740 | $59,620 |
| Madison | 890 | $36,490 | $38,260 | $23,580 | $48,680 |
| Green Bay | 300 | $35,490 | $37,820 | $26,270 | $54,560 |
| Appleton | 280 | $36,260 | $40,560 | $23,580 | $69,930 |
| Duluth | 270 | $35,080 | $41,390 | $23,580 | $61,170 |
| Kenosha | 250 | $36,520 | $39,670 | $24,130 | $60,700 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 210 | $29,850 | $39,670 | $28,600 | $72,300 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 200 | $35,270 | $39,350 | $24,370 | $61,100 |
| Eau Claire | 170 | $35,140 | $37,440 | $25,890 | $49,020 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 170 | $35,090 | $35,730 | $24,130 | $47,780 |
| Sheboygan | 150 | $37,210 | $41,630 | $29,000 | $66,580 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 140 | $35,500 | $38,670 | $23,640 | $59,570 |
| Wausau | 120 | $34,050 | $39,090 | $25,510 | $61,990 |
| Fond du Lac | 110 | $31,810 | $38,990 | $29,150 | $60,960 |
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 Wisconsin
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cosmetologist employment within Wisconsin according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 2,070 | $38,190 |
| Madison | 890 | $36,490 |
| Green Bay | 300 | $35,490 |
| Appleton | 280 | $36,260 |
| Kenosha | 250 | $36,520 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 6,260 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Wisconsin.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Wisconsin is $36,230, which is $980 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.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) |