How to Become a Cosmetologist in Louisiana (2026)
Louisiana employs about 2,720 cosmetologists earning a median $26,030 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 Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Louisiana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cosmetology Training Center | 51.8 | Contact school for pricing | $17,599 | 83% | — | 58 mi |
| 2 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Lafayette | 50.8 | Contact school for pricing | $21,980 | 0% | — | 56 mi |
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| 3 | Baton Rouge Community College | 43.7 | $4,321 | $45,313 | 31% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 4 | South Louisiana Community College | 40.6 | $4,210 | $45,336 | 30% | Yes* | 56 mi |
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| 5 | Paul Mitchell the School-Baton Rouge | 38.8 | Contact school for pricing | $21,837 | 75% | — | 58 mi |
| 6 | Denham Springs Beauty School | 38.6 | Contact school for pricing | $19,680 | 60% | — | 58 mi |
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| 7 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Baton Rouge | 37.1 | Contact school for pricing | $25,031 | 64% | — | 56 mi |
| 8 | Blue Cliff College-Alexandria | 36.0 | Contact school for pricing | $26,644 | 34% | Yes* | 48 mi |
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| 9 | Pineville Beauty School | 34.5 | Contact school for pricing | $18,932 | 71% | — | 47 mi |
| 10 | Opelousas School of Cosmetology | 30.2 | Contact school for pricing | $20,629 | 80% | — | 36 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.
Louisiana employs approximately 2,720 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $26,030 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 Louisiana, 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: Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Louisiana): $26,030 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Louisiana
How to become a Cosmetologist in Louisiana? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Louisiana State Board of 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 Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology.
Do I need a license in Louisiana? Yes. Louisiana credentials this role through Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Louisiana is $26,030 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $21,590 and experienced professionals can earn $33,900 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Louisiana
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Louisiana’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Louisiana State Board of 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 Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Louisiana State Board of 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 Louisiana
Cosmetologists in Louisiana complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Louisiana State Board of 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 Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | 670 | $26,470 | $28,210 | $22,790 | $33,730 |
| Baton Rouge | 510 | $26,300 | $27,790 | $21,160 | $33,900 |
| Lafayette | 350 | $23,700 | $26,280 | $21,400 | $30,890 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 290 | $26,080 | $26,910 | $21,810 | $30,700 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 250 | $24,170 | $27,360 | $21,600 | $35,070 |
| Hammond | 160 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lake Charles | 150 | $23,840 | $26,000 | $21,380 | $30,610 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 80 | $23,550 | $24,430 | $19,590 | $30,010 |
| Monroe | 80 | $23,260 | $25,260 | $22,240 | $30,200 |
| Alexandria | 60 | $23,580 | $26,230 | $22,700 | $31,010 |
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 Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 2,720 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Louisiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Louisiana.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Louisiana is $26,030, which is $9,220 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology - Licensing Information: https://www.lsbc.louisiana.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) |