How to Become a Cosmetologist in Iowa (2026)
Iowa employs about 2,930 cosmetologists earning a median $35,700 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Iowa
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aveda Institute-Des Moines | 65.3 | Contact school for pricing | $34,296 | 88% | — | 65 mi |
| 2 | Iowa Lakes Community College | 59.8 | $7,392 in-state / $7,872 out-of-state | $47,158 | 50% | Yes* | 105 mi |
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| 3 | Riverland Community College | 59.3 | $6,298 | $49,768 | 52% | Yes* | 88 mi |
| 4 | La James College of Hairstyling and Cosmetology | 58.5 | Contact school for pricing | $24,820 | 76% | — | 51 mi |
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| 5 | Northeast Iowa Community College | 56.6 | $6,780 in-state / $7,770 out-of-state | $50,002 | 51% | Yes* | 88 mi |
| 6 | La James International College-Johnston | 54.3 | Contact school for pricing | $29,151 | 88% | — | 57 mi |
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| 7 | Iowa Central Community College | 54.0 | $5,496 in-state / $7,788 out-of-state | $46,682 | 42% | Yes* | 48 mi |
| 8 | PCI Academy-Ames | 48.2 | Contact school for pricing | $37,914 | 77% | — | 32 mi |
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| 9 | Capri College-Cedar Rapids | 47.8 | Contact school for pricing | $35,657 | 65% | — | 86 mi |
| 10 | La James International College-Ft Dodge | 47.5 | Contact school for pricing | $27,778 | 90% | — | 46 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.
Iowa employs approximately 2,930 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,700 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 Iowa, 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Iowa): $35,700 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Iowa
How to become a Cosmetologist in Iowa? 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.
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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences.
Do I need a license in Iowa? Yes. Iowa credentials this role through Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Iowa is $35,700 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $26,650 and experienced professionals can earn $56,250 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Iowa
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Iowa’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences; 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences 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 Iowa
Cosmetologists in Iowa complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 1,220 | $36,390 | $46,900 | $28,080 | $75,130 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 870 | $35,640 | $39,680 | $28,350 | $56,250 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 420 | $33,580 | $40,210 | $26,780 | $59,460 |
| Cedar Rapids | 260 | $35,770 | $42,440 | $28,270 | $61,920 |
| Iowa City | 240 | $35,950 | $42,960 | $27,720 | $55,910 |
| Ames | 170 | $36,170 | $41,640 | $23,670 | $58,410 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 160 | $35,360 | $39,140 | $27,280 | $53,780 |
| Dubuque | 110 | $35,360 | $40,450 | $23,560 | $55,940 |
| Sioux City | 100 | $30,330 | $33,870 | $23,330 | $48,450 |
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 Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 2,930 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Iowa.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Iowa is $35,700, which is $450 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 Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing - Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences - Licensing Information: https://dial.iowa.gov/about/boards/barbering-cosmetology ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |