How to Become a Cosmetologist in Alaska (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Alaska employs about 330 cosmetologists earning a median $32,150 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Cosmetologist here means completing a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Alaska employs approximately 330 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $32,150 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 Alaska, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: board-approved cosmetology or barbering program (find programs)
  • Typical timeline: a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license
  • Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
  • Median wage (Alaska): $32,150 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Alaska

How to become a Cosmetologist in Alaska? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Alaska? Yes. Alaska typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do cosmetologists earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Alaska is $32,150 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,900 and experienced professionals can earn $55,850 or more 1.

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Alaska

  1. Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with the program and employer. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
  2. Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Alaska’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with the program and employer; do not copy another state’s hours. This is not a DAS registered apprenticeship, though some boards offer a shop-apprentice route.
  3. Pass written and practical exams. Pass the exams the program and employer uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
  4. Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to the program and employer before taking paying clients.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Alaska

Cosmetologists in Alaska complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to the program and employer for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board.

Typical path

  1. Meet board entry rules.

  2. Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.

  3. Pass written and practical exams.

  4. Apply to the program and employer for the practitioner license.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Alaska vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Anchorage240$32,150$40,850$30,900$55,430
La Crosse-Onalaska170$35,090$35,730$24,130$47,780
Fairbanks-College50$36,610$44,580$30,900$56,150

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cosmetologists in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 330 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a cosmetologist in Alaska with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Alaska.

How much do cosmetologists earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Alaska is $32,150, which is $3,100 below the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data 1.

In Alaska

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)