How to Become a Cosmetologist in California (2026)
California employs about 27,080 cosmetologists earning a median $38,660 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, then applying through Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princess Institute of Beauty | 66.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 91% | — | 81 mi |
| 2 | Santa Barbara City College | 56.7 | $1,240 in-state / $10,432 out-of-state | $63,514 | 34% | Yes* | 72 mi |
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| 3 | Allan Hancock College | 55.3 | $1,156 in-state / $9,892 out-of-state | $55,202 | 26% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 4 | Lawrence & Company College of Cosmetology | 50.3 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 70% | — | 79 mi |
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| 5 | College of the Sequoias | 47.3 | $1,394 in-state / $9,038 out-of-state | $44,147 | 39% | — | 63 mi |
| 6 | Design's School of Cosmetology | 46.5 | Contact school for pricing | $23,711 | 76% | — | 66 mi |
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| 7 | Estes Institute of Cosmetology Arts and Science | 44.7 | Contact school for pricing | $24,594 | 85% | — | 63 mi |
| 8 | Lu Ross Academy | 40.2 | Contact school for pricing | $30,475 | 65% | — | 81 mi |
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| 9 | Milan Institute-Visalia | 35.5 | Contact school for pricing | $33,999 | 51% | — | 59 mi |
| 10 | Milan Institute-Bakersfield | 29.7 | Contact school for pricing | $29,355 | 59% | — | 28 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
California employs approximately 27,080 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,660 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 California, 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
- Licensing authority: Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (California): $38,660 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in California
How to become a Cosmetologist in California? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
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 Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California credentials this role through Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in California? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in California is $38,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,360 and experienced professionals can earn $68,640 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in California
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets California’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology; do not copy another state’s hours. This is not a DAS registered apprenticeship, though some boards offer a shop-apprentice route.
- Pass written and practical exams. Pass the exams Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology 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 California
Cosmetologists in California complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in California
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 10,910 | $43,500 | $54,290 | $36,490 | $73,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 3,370 | $42,400 | $45,950 | $35,540 | $54,940 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 2,870 | $37,290 | $44,890 | $35,500 | $62,130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 2,080 | $36,410 | $41,030 | $34,320 | $59,800 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 2,030 | $43,410 | $47,010 | $37,990 | $60,280 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,800 | $36,780 | $41,870 | $34,610 | $60,440 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 500 | $37,440 | $42,580 | $34,410 | $61,900 |
| Fresno | 430 | $35,880 | $41,080 | $34,320 | $59,660 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 380 | $37,690 | $45,000 | $34,320 | $60,440 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 370 | $38,280 | $45,490 | $36,460 | $63,820 |
| Modesto | 320 | $36,960 | $43,470 | $34,420 | $62,180 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 250 | $35,330 | $39,910 | $34,320 | $59,000 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 240 | $36,760 | $43,020 | $34,830 | $60,930 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 180 | $37,380 | $45,400 | $34,320 | $61,310 |
| Salinas | 170 | $37,970 | $46,560 | $35,580 | $69,070 |
| Vallejo | 170 | $38,640 | $44,750 | $36,150 | $63,490 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 120 | $36,900 | $42,520 | $35,340 | $65,780 |
| Visalia | 120 | $36,570 | $40,930 | $34,320 | $58,150 |
| Redding | 70 | $34,930 | $41,650 | $34,320 | $59,520 |
| Chico | 60 | $37,880 | $42,320 | $34,320 | $59,610 |
| Yuba City | 60 | $37,180 | $44,930 | $35,360 | $61,450 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 50 | $37,350 | $41,110 | $35,590 | $59,550 |
| Napa | 40 | $39,610 | $46,900 | $37,440 | $64,950 |
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 California? California currently employs approximately 27,080 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in California.
How much do cosmetologists earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in California is $38,660, which is $3,410 above the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data 1.
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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
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 Consumer Affairs - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology - Licensing Information: https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |