How to Become a Cosmetologist in Ohio (2026)
Ohio employs about 12,890 cosmetologists earning a median $36,260 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 Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Ohio
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EHOVE Career Center | 75.4 | Contact school for pricing | $50,326 | 96% | — | 31 mi |
| 2 | Lorain County Joint Vocational School District | 66.9 | Contact school for pricing | $34,568 | 90% | — | 30 mi |
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| 3 | Apex Academy Hair Skin Nails School of Cosmetology | 61.9 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 96% | — | 12 mi |
| 4 | Knox County Career Center | 61.8 | Contact school for pricing | $44,510 | 100% | — | 39 mi |
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| 5 | Madison Adult Career Center | 58.0 | Contact school for pricing | $31,829 | 85% | — | 9 mi |
| 6 | Brown Aveda Institute-Strongsville | 56.6 | Contact school for pricing | $30,248 | 85% | — | 43 mi |
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| 7 | Wayne County Schools Career Center | 51.7 | Contact school for pricing | $48,459 | 70% | — | 31 mi |
| 8 | Sandusky Career Center | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $59,812 | 100% | — | 41 mi |
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| 9 | Tiffin Academy of Hair Design | 41.8 | Contact school for pricing | $27,089 | 58% | — | 40 mi |
| 10 | Northern Institute of Cosmetology | 32.5 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 43% | — | 42 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.
Ohio employs approximately 12,890 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,260 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 Ohio, 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: Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Ohio): $36,260 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Ohio
How to become a Cosmetologist in Ohio? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
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 Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board.
Do I need a license in Ohio? Yes. Ohio credentials this role through Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Ohio is $36,260 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,520 and experienced professionals can earn $77,330 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Ohio
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Ohio’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board; 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 Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board 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 Ohio
Cosmetologists in Ohio complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 3,070 | $35,640 | $41,770 | $23,420 | $70,750 |
| Cincinnati | 2,540 | $36,790 | $46,010 | $24,230 | $80,150 |
| Columbus | 2,420 | $36,260 | $45,350 | $23,580 | $78,040 |
| Akron | 1,140 | $38,100 | $49,000 | $24,130 | $79,950 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 790 | $30,590 | $42,680 | $22,860 | $75,860 |
| Toledo | 650 | $36,440 | $44,250 | $23,170 | $74,520 |
| Canton-Massillon | 410 | $35,010 | $42,010 | $22,740 | $63,700 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 290 | $29,520 | $41,000 | $22,260 | $72,950 |
| Wheeling | 200 | $31,720 | $38,880 | $23,920 | $59,180 |
| Mansfield | 150 | $29,690 | $39,500 | $22,260 | $68,470 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 150 | $32,390 | $40,690 | $23,420 | $62,950 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 140 | $29,580 | $37,560 | $21,880 | $58,250 |
| Lima | 100 | $33,530 | $43,490 | $22,570 | $71,850 |
| Sandusky | 100 | $29,030 | $41,840 | $22,790 | $75,640 |
| Springfield | 80 | $33,280 | $40,750 | $22,260 | $62,830 |
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 Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 12,890 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Ohio.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Ohio is $36,260, which is $1,010 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board - Licensing Information: https://www.cos.ohio.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) |