How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma (2026)
Oklahoma employs about 1,920 cosmetologists earning a median $29,650 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 Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in Oklahoma
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gordon Cooper Technology Center | 75.4 | Contact school for pricing | $43,075 | 90% | — | 34 mi |
| 2 | Central Technology Center | 64.0 | Contact school for pricing | $41,040 | 85% | — | 23 mi |
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| 3 | Hello Gorgeous Barbers Stillwater's School of Barbering | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 23 mi |
| 4 | Mid-Del Technology Center | 54.7 | Contact school for pricing | $32,475 | 70% | — | 36 mi |
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| 5 | Wade Gordon Hairdressing Academy-Oklahoma | Not rated | Contact school for pricing | $24,177 | Not reported | — | 45 mi |
| 6 | Shawnee Beauty College | 54.0 | Contact school for pricing | $15,690 | 83% | — | 32 mi |
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| 7 | The Academy of Hair Design LLC | 50.3 | Contact school for pricing | $20,792 | 100% | — | 37 mi |
| 8 | Metro Technology Centers | 45.5 | Contact school for pricing | $47,829 | 35% | — | 37 mi |
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| 9 | Francis Tuttle Technology Center | 39.8 | Contact school for pricing | $36,657 | 52% | — | 41 mi |
| 10 | Meridian Technology Center | 38.3 | Contact school for pricing | $39,328 | 48% | — | 22 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.
Oklahoma employs approximately 1,920 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $29,650 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 Oklahoma, 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: Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (Oklahoma): $29,650 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma
How to become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
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 Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.
Do I need a license in Oklahoma? Yes. Oklahoma credentials this role through Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in Oklahoma? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Oklahoma is $29,650 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $18,980 and experienced professionals can earn $60,390 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets Oklahoma’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering; 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 Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering 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 Oklahoma
Cosmetologists in Oklahoma complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in Oklahoma vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 810 | $29,700 | $36,870 | $18,980 | $61,970 |
| Tulsa | 770 | $29,860 | $36,470 | $19,110 | $62,050 |
| Fort Smith | 70 | $28,090 | $31,520 | $23,640 | $46,110 |
| Lawton | 70 | $28,050 | $32,070 | $19,600 | $46,940 |
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 Oklahoma? Oklahoma currently employs approximately 1,920 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in Oklahoma with an out-of-state license? Contact the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Oklahoma? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Oklahoma.
How much do cosmetologists earn in Oklahoma compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in Oklahoma is $29,650, which is $5,600 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering - Licensing Information: https://www.ok.gov/cosmo/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |