How to Become a Cosmetologist in South Carolina (2026)
South Carolina employs about 3,570 cosmetologists earning a median $33,700 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 SC Board of Cosmetology.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in South Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeastern Esthetics Institute | 65.9 | Contact school for pricing | $26,331 | 90% | — | 27 mi |
| 2 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Goose Creek | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $26,820 | 84% | — | 62 mi |
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| 3 | LeGrand Institute of Cosmetology Inc | 43.6 | Contact school for pricing | $29,225 | 87% | — | 38 mi |
| 4 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology-Florence | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $24,468 | 80% | — | 64 mi |
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| 5 | Williamsburg Technical College | 41.4 | $4,488 in-state / $8,592 out-of-state | Not reported | 15% | Yes* | 54 mi |
| 6 | Paul Mitchell the School-Columbia | 36.5 | Contact school for pricing | $27,444 | 69% | — | 26 mi |
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| 7 | Florence-Darlington Technical College | 35.7 | $4,636 in-state / $6,772 out-of-state | $44,978 | 34% | — | 64 mi |
| 8 | Charleston Cosmetology Institute | 35.5 | Contact school for pricing | $29,622 | 55% | — | 67 mi |
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| 9 | Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology and Nails-Columbia | 31.7 | Contact school for pricing | $26,820 | 54% | — | 30 mi |
| 10 | Southeastern College-Columbia | 30.4 | $25,080 | $32,183 | 67% | — | 25 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.
South Carolina employs approximately 3,570 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $33,700 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 South Carolina, 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: SC Board of Cosmetology
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (South Carolina): $33,700 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in South Carolina
How to become a Cosmetologist in South Carolina? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through SC 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 SC Board of Cosmetology.
Do I need a license in South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina credentials this role through SC Board of Cosmetology 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in South Carolina is $33,700 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $21,340 and experienced professionals can earn $77,430 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in South Carolina
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with SC Board of Cosmetology. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets South Carolina’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with SC 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 SC 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 SC 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 South Carolina
Cosmetologists in South Carolina complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to SC Board of Cosmetology for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See SC 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 SC Board of Cosmetology for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with SC Board of Cosmetology before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 2,940 | $38,530 | $43,290 | $28,160 | $61,530 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 800 | $34,860 | $45,840 | $21,170 | $80,300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 680 | $33,850 | $41,880 | $21,810 | $63,350 |
| Columbia | 580 | $30,710 | $39,070 | $22,080 | $74,550 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 350 | $29,430 | $37,770 | $20,690 | $75,390 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 280 | $31,000 | $38,780 | $18,990 | $60,900 |
| Spartanburg | 280 | $33,640 | $46,000 | $23,000 | $95,140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | 260 | $34,730 | $45,580 | $21,020 | $79,450 |
| Sumter | 60 | $28,780 | $39,130 | $20,760 | $71,900 |
| Florence | 50 | $30,810 | $40,230 | $17,630 | $72,110 |
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 South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 3,570 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the SC Board of Cosmetology for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina.
How much do cosmetologists earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in South Carolina is $33,700, which is $1,550 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
SC Board of Cosmetology - Licensing Information: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Cosmetology ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |