How to Become a Cosmetologist in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota employs about 5,320 cosmetologists earning a median $39,170 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 BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Minnesota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgewater College | 68.7 | $6,121 | $49,859 | 50% | Yes* | 80 mi |
| 2 | Northwood Technical College | 66.6 | $4,926 in-state / $7,169 out-of-state | $49,705 | 56% | Yes* | 83 mi |
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| 3 | The Salon Professional Academy Maplewood | 62.5 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 88% | — | 30 mi |
| 4 | Century College | 52.6 | $6,214 | $54,401 | 31% | Yes* | 31 mi |
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| 5 | Saint Paul College | 48.2 | $6,326 | $52,870 | 40% | Yes* | 32 mi |
| 6 | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis | 46.5 | Contact school for pricing | $38,850 | 68% | — | 26 mi |
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| 7 | Hastings Beauty School | 46.1 | Contact school for pricing | $25,970 | 69% | — | 51 mi |
| 8 | PCI Academy-Plymouth | 45.1 | Contact school for pricing | $37,914 | 72% | — | 22 mi |
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| 9 | Model College of Hair Design | 44.9 | Contact school for pricing | $34,501 | 61% | — | 38 mi |
| 10 | Empire Beauty School-Bloomington | 36.8 | Contact school for pricing | $26,762 | 78% | — | 37 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.
Minnesota employs approximately 5,320 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,170 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 Minnesota, 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: BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Minnesota): $39,170 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Minnesota
How to become a Cosmetologist in Minnesota? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
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 BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners.
Do I need a license in Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota credentials this role through BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Minnesota is $39,170 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,590 and experienced professionals can earn $78,880 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Minnesota
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Minnesota’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners; 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 BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners 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 Minnesota
Cosmetologists in Minnesota complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 3,920 | $46,310 | $50,100 | $25,640 | $82,500 |
| Fargo | 350 | $34,910 | $43,430 | $26,560 | $76,910 |
| Sioux Falls | 320 | $50,500 | $49,300 | $32,940 | $60,290 |
| Duluth | 270 | $35,080 | $41,390 | $23,580 | $61,170 |
| St. Cloud | 220 | $35,310 | $45,820 | $23,150 | $80,430 |
| Rochester | 190 | $39,460 | $49,150 | $23,880 | $77,700 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 170 | $35,090 | $35,730 | $24,130 | $47,780 |
| Mankato | 130 | $35,010 | $42,930 | $23,190 | $79,560 |
| Grand Forks | 80 | $31,620 | $36,290 | $24,130 | $53,360 |
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 Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 5,320 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Minnesota.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Minnesota is $39,170, which is $3,920 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
BCE - Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.bceboard.state.mn.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |