How to Become a Cosmetologist in Maine (2026)
Maine employs about 970 cosmetologists earning a median $44,000 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 Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Maine
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empire Beauty School-Hooksett | 67.2 | Contact school for pricing | $35,339 | 83% | — | 179 mi |
| 2 | Capilo School of Hair Design | 53.4 | Contact school for pricing | $27,457 | 79% | — | 61 mi |
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| 3 | Paul Mitchell the School-Portsmouth | 52.9 | Contact school for pricing | $31,050 | 95% | — | 160 mi |
| 4 | Lowell Academy Hairstyling Institute | 52.7 | Contact school for pricing | $32,789 | 82% | — | 199 mi |
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| 5 | New England Hair Academy | 51.5 | Contact school for pricing | $33,954 | 67% | — | 206 mi |
| 6 | Empire Beauty School-Laconia | 49.4 | Contact school for pricing | $35,339 | 64% | — | 156 mi |
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| 7 | Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook | 48.5 | Contact school for pricing | $32,586 | 85% | — | 113 mi |
| 8 | North Shore Community College | 46.7 | $5,352 in-state / $10,920 out-of-state | $54,714 | 18% | — | 194 mi |
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| 9 | Empire Beauty School-Somersworth | 45.2 | Contact school for pricing | $32,919 | 67% | — | 153 mi |
| 10 | O'Briens Aveda Institute | 40.3 | Contact school for pricing | $33,777 | 67% | — | 195 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.
Maine employs approximately 970 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,000 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 Maine, 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: Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Maine): $44,000 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Maine
How to become a Cosmetologist in Maine? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
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 Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Do I need a license in Maine? Yes. Maine credentials this role through Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Maine? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Maine is $44,000 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,640 and experienced professionals can earn $63,640 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Maine
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Maine’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation; 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 Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation 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 Maine
Cosmetologists in Maine complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Maine
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Maine
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Maine vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 600 | $46,460 | $51,280 | $33,240 | $74,540 |
| Bangor | 80 | $37,050 | $43,000 | $30,470 | $59,930 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 80 | $38,200 | $46,800 | $30,470 | $60,280 |
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 Maine? Maine currently employs approximately 970 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Maine with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Maine.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Maine is $44,000, which is $8,750 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation - Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Licensing Information: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/index.shtml ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |