How to Become a Cosmetologist in New York (2026)
New York employs about 20,740 cosmetologists earning a median $35,760 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 NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in New York
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology | 75.0 | Contact school for pricing | $27,944 | 80% | — | 32 mi |
| 2 | Christine Valmy International School for Esthetics, Skin Care & Makeup | 68.9 | Contact school for pricing | $25,487 | 94% | — | 40 mi |
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| 3 | Artistic Academy of Hair Design | 62.9 | Contact school for pricing | $34,470 | 83% | — | 37 mi |
| 4 | Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers | 60.7 | Contact school for pricing | $29,423 | 89% | — | 17 mi |
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| 5 | Westchester School of Beauty Culture | 57.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 77% | — | 32 mi |
| 6 | Empire Beauty School-Peekskill | 55.8 | Contact school for pricing | $26,720 | 89% | — | 13 mi |
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| 7 | Total Image Beauty Academy | 51.9 | Contact school for pricing | $19,172 | 99% | — | 38 mi |
| 8 | Parisian Beauty School | 48.1 | Contact school for pricing | $28,516 | 88% | — | 30 mi |
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| 9 | American Beauty School | 36.1 | Contact school for pricing | $24,991 | 50% | — | 37 mi |
| 10 | Robert Fiance Beauty Schools-West New York | 29.4 | Contact school for pricing | $22,939 | 67% | — | 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.
New York employs approximately 20,740 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $35,760 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 New York, 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: NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (New York): $35,760 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in New York
How to become a Cosmetologist in New York? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza.
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 NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza.
Do I need a license in New York? Yes. New York credentials this role through NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in New York? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New York is $35,760 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,960 and experienced professionals can earn $88,540 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in New York
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets New York’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza; 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 NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza 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 New York
Cosmetologists in New York complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in New York
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in New York
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in New York vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 27,660 | $36,120 | $51,650 | $33,480 | $91,780 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | 820 | $32,950 | $49,700 | $32,240 | $80,430 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | 730 | $35,010 | $42,610 | $34,030 | $64,320 |
| Rochester | 730 | $36,830 | $48,740 | $32,240 | $73,620 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | 660 | $34,670 | $46,750 | $32,240 | $75,780 |
| Syracuse | 390 | $34,810 | $57,880 | $32,240 | $121,720 |
| Binghamton | 160 | $33,620 | $45,560 | $32,240 | $75,630 |
| Kingston | 140 | $34,720 | $46,310 | $32,240 | $78,490 |
| Utica-Rome | 100 | $32,520 | $42,270 | $32,240 | $60,120 |
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 New York? New York currently employs approximately 20,740 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in New York with an out-of-state license? Contact the NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New York? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New York.
How much do cosmetologists earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in New York is $35,760, which is $510 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NYS Department of State - Division of Licensing Services - One Commerce Plaza - Licensing Information: https://www.dos.ny.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) |