How to Become a Cosmetologist in Nebraska (2026)
Nebraska employs about 1,890 cosmetologists earning a median $34,320 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 Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Nebraska
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washburn Institute of Technology | 71.0 | $8,880 | $56,774 | 68% | Yes* | 152 mi |
| 2 | Aveda Institute-Des Moines | 65.3 | Contact school for pricing | $34,296 | 88% | — | 169 mi |
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| 3 | Capitol Beauty School | 64.5 | Contact school for pricing | $28,970 | 87% | — | 48 mi |
| 4 | Hays Academy of Hair Design | 54.6 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 86% | — | 155 mi |
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| 5 | Xenon A Stephanie Moss Academy | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 82% | — | 50 mi |
| 6 | Joseph's College Cosmetology | 45.7 | Contact school for pricing | $26,838 | 88% | — | 22 mi |
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| 7 | SOHO Hair Academy | 40.6 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 76% | — | 60 mi |
| 8 | Bellus Academy | 39.4 | Contact school for pricing | $27,346 | 74% | — | 128 mi |
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| 9 | Iowa School of Beauty-Sioux City | 33.3 | Contact school for pricing | $23,148 | 72% | — | 103 mi |
| 10 | Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics | 33.2 | Contact school for pricing | $29,007 | 60% | — | 26 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.
Nebraska employs approximately 1,890 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,320 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 Nebraska, 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: Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Nebraska): $34,320 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Nebraska
How to become a Cosmetologist in Nebraska? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.
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 Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services.
Do I need a license in Nebraska? Yes. Nebraska credentials this role through Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Nebraska? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Nebraska is $34,320 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,080 and experienced professionals can earn $73,740 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Nebraska
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Nebraska’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services; 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 Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services 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 Nebraska
Cosmetologists in Nebraska complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Nebraska
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Nebraska 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 |
| Lincoln | 340 | $30,440 | $38,170 | $28,080 | $60,900 |
| Sioux City | 100 | $30,330 | $33,870 | $23,330 | $48,450 |
| Grand Island | 60 | $30,740 | $36,670 | $28,080 | $58,110 |
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 Nebraska? Nebraska currently employs approximately 1,890 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Nebraska with an out-of-state license? Contact the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Nebraska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Nebraska.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Nebraska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Nebraska is $34,320, which is $930 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Public Health Division, Licensure Unit, Office of Behavioral Health & Consumer Services - Licensing Information: https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/professions-and-occupations.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |