How to Become a Cosmetologist in Idaho (2026)
Idaho employs about 2,250 cosmetologists earning a median $35,480 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 The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Idaho
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin Kade Academy | 57.5 | Contact school for pricing | $24,845 | 94% | — | 144 mi |
| 2 | Evans Hairstyling College-Rexburg | 55.9 | Contact school for pricing | $22,935 | 87% | — | 145 mi |
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| 3 | Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | $30,231 | 88% | — | 92 mi |
| 4 | Boise Barber College | 46.7 | Contact school for pricing | $30,941 | 51% | — | 96 mi |
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| 5 | The Salon Professional Academy-Nampa | 45.5 | Contact school for pricing | $22,621 | 90% | — | 109 mi |
| 6 | Aveda Institute-Boise | 44.5 | Contact school for pricing | $26,105 | 89% | — | 97 mi |
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| 7 | Paul Mitchell the School-Boise | 41.5 | Contact school for pricing | $24,959 | 73% | — | 96 mi |
| 8 | Aveda Institute-Twin Falls | 39.7 | Contact school for pricing | $28,256 | 73% | — | 121 mi |
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| 9 | Cosmetology School of Arts & Sciences | 37.6 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 75% | — | 132 mi |
| 10 | Paul Mitchell the School-Nampa | 36.9 | Contact school for pricing | $24,959 | 67% | — | 109 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.
Idaho employs approximately 2,250 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,480 1. The state’s concentration of cosmetologist jobs is 1.34x 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 Idaho, 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: The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Idaho): $35,480 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Idaho
How to become a Cosmetologist in Idaho? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
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 Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.
Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho credentials this role through The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Idaho is $35,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,810 and experienced professionals can earn $48,000 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Idaho
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Idaho’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses; 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 The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses 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 Idaho
Cosmetologists in Idaho complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Idaho
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Idaho vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 1,250 | $35,890 | $35,800 | $22,860 | $47,190 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 240 | $36,620 | $37,740 | $25,070 | $48,120 |
| Idaho Falls | 180 | $33,080 | $32,280 | $21,540 | $45,800 |
| Lewiston | 100 | $37,820 | $38,450 | $22,710 | $51,210 |
| Pocatello | 90 | $33,760 | $33,660 | $22,380 | $46,650 |
| Logan | 90 | $30,560 | $35,650 | $20,680 | $59,980 |
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 Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 2,250 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Idaho.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Idaho is $35,480, which is $230 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
The Idaho State Board of Cosmetologists - Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses - Licensing Information: http://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |