How to Become a Cosmetologist in Michigan (2026)
Michigan employs about 8,970 cosmetologists earning a median $34,820 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Michigan
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mosley School of Cosmetology | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | Yes* | 57 mi |
| 2 | M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant | 60.8 | Contact school for pricing | $17,566 | 93% | — | 27 mi |
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| 3 | Bayshire Academy of Beauty Craft Inc | 56.5 | Contact school for pricing | $20,225 | 72% | — | 45 mi |
| 4 | Douglas J Aveda Institute | 43.0 | Contact school for pricing | $29,058 | 83% | — | 35 mi |
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| 5 | Paul Mitchell the School-Grand Rapids | 42.8 | Contact school for pricing | $27,013 | 84% | — | 53 mi |
| 6 | Montcalm Community College | 40.9 | $4,662 in-state / $10,362 out-of-state | $55,704 | 31% | — | 23 mi |
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| 7 | Protege Academy | 40.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 78% | — | 36 mi |
| 8 | Mott Community College | 38.0 | $6,845 in-state / $11,460 out-of-state | $52,696 | 32% | Yes* | 50 mi |
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| 9 | Protege Academy | 36.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 60% | — | 27 mi |
| 10 | Creative Hair School of Cosmetology | 33.5 | Contact school for pricing | $21,571 | 62% | — | 47 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
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.
Michigan employs approximately 8,970 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,820 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 Michigan, 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: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Michigan): $34,820 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Michigan
How to become a Cosmetologist in Michigan? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Do I need a license in Michigan? Yes. Michigan credentials this role through Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Michigan? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Michigan is $34,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $25,960 and experienced professionals can earn $95,370 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Michigan
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Michigan’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing; 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 Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 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 Michigan
Cosmetologists in Michigan complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Michigan
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Michigan vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | 4,790 | $34,960 | $47,670 | $27,210 | $96,770 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | 1,290 | $38,740 | $49,570 | $25,960 | $96,060 |
| Ann Arbor | 350 | $35,490 | $48,640 | $25,960 | $97,500 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 310 | $30,770 | $35,100 | $23,350 | $47,540 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | 280 | $37,380 | $50,580 | $25,960 | $97,240 |
| Flint | 210 | $30,610 | $45,550 | $25,960 | $97,780 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | 210 | $34,110 | $48,190 | $25,960 | $96,730 |
| Saginaw | 140 | $33,650 | $46,960 | $25,960 | $93,980 |
| Traverse City | 120 | $34,950 | $48,110 | $25,960 | $95,710 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | 110 | $31,110 | $44,410 | $25,960 | $95,000 |
| Jackson | 100 | $30,640 | $43,030 | $25,960 | $83,170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 90 | $30,820 | $35,190 | $24,090 | $47,300 |
| Niles | 80 | $36,960 | $47,460 | $25,960 | $107,760 |
| Battle Creek | 70 | $34,770 | $46,440 | $25,960 | $91,940 |
| Bay City | 70 | $30,720 | $44,770 | $26,770 | $93,780 |
| Monroe | 70 | $30,690 | $45,290 | $25,960 | $91,060 |
| Midland | 50 | $35,580 | $45,800 | $25,960 | $80,020 |
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 Michigan? Michigan currently employs approximately 8,970 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Michigan with an out-of-state license? Contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Michigan? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Michigan.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Michigan compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Michigan is $34,820, which is $430 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs - Bureau of Professional Licensing - Licensing Information: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600—,00.html ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |