How to Become a Cosmetologist in North Dakota (2026)
North Dakota employs about 870 cosmetologists earning a median $34,850 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 ND State Board of Cosmetology.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in North Dakota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Area Technical College | 74.7 | $6,718 | $49,488 | 73% | Yes* | 216 mi |
| 2 | Ridgewater College | 68.7 | $6,121 | $49,859 | 50% | Yes* | 275 mi |
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| 3 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College | 64.5 | $5,908 | $54,581 | 47% | Yes* | 192 mi |
| 4 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | 58.5 | $6,491 | $52,390 | 52% | Yes* | 271 mi |
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| 5 | Northwest Technical College | 55.7 | $6,254 | $55,473 | 50% | Yes* | 233 mi |
| 6 | Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Grand Forks | 54.4 | Contact school for pricing | $33,735 | 83% | — | 135 mi |
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| 7 | The Hair Academy | 53.3 | Contact school for pricing | $34,894 | 95% | — | 59 mi |
| 8 | Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City | 52.9 | Contact school for pricing | $28,685 | 88% | — | 281 mi |
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| 9 | The Salon Professional Academy-Fargo | 50.5 | Contact school for pricing | $36,100 | 60% | — | 145 mi |
| 10 | The Salon Professional Academy | 45.4 | Contact school for pricing | $35,007 | 79% | — | 279 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.
North Dakota employs approximately 870 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,850 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 North Dakota, 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: ND State Board of Cosmetology
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (North Dakota): $34,850 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in North Dakota
How to become a Cosmetologist in North Dakota? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through ND State Board of Cosmetology.
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 ND State Board of Cosmetology.
Do I need a license in North Dakota? Yes. North Dakota credentials this role through ND State Board of Cosmetology 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in North Dakota? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in North Dakota is $34,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $24,130 and experienced professionals can earn $77,800 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in North Dakota
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with ND State Board of Cosmetology. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets North Dakota’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with ND State Board of Cosmetology; 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 ND State Board of Cosmetology uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to ND State Board of Cosmetology 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 North Dakota
Cosmetologists in North Dakota complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to ND State Board of Cosmetology for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See ND State Board of Cosmetology 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to ND State Board of Cosmetology for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with ND State Board of Cosmetology before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 350 | $34,910 | $43,430 | $26,560 | $76,910 |
| Bismarck | 260 | $34,680 | $42,730 | $23,580 | $77,730 |
| Minot | 90 | $32,030 | $39,050 | $24,130 | $76,660 |
| 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 North Dakota? North Dakota currently employs approximately 870 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in North Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the ND State Board of Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Dakota.
How much do cosmetologists earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in North Dakota is $34,850, which is $400 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
ND State Board of Cosmetology - Licensing Information: http://www.ndcosmetology.com ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |