How to Become a Cosmetologist in South Dakota (2026)
South Dakota employs about 690 cosmetologists earning a median $49,800 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 South Dakota Cosmetology Commission.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in South 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* | 123 mi |
| 2 | Ridgewater College | 68.7 | $6,121 | $49,859 | 50% | Yes* | 221 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
| 3 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College | 64.5 | $5,908 | $54,581 | 47% | Yes* | 219 mi |
| 4 | Stewart School | 62.1 | Contact school for pricing | $35,397 | 88% | — | 133 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
| 5 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | 58.5 | $6,491 | $52,390 | 52% | Yes* | 192 mi |
| 6 | Faust Institute of Cosmetology-Spirit Lake | 53.7 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 92% | — | 215 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
| 7 | The Hair Academy | 53.3 | Contact school for pricing | $34,894 | 95% | — | 201 mi |
| 8 | Paul Mitchell the School-Rapid City | 52.9 | Contact school for pricing | $28,685 | 88% | — | 194 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
| 9 | The Salon Professional Academy | 45.4 | Contact school for pricing | $35,007 | 79% | — | 193 mi |
| 10 | Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body-Fargo | 44.3 | Contact school for pricing | $33,735 | 73% | — | 225 mi |
Sponsored Ad | |||||||
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 Dakota employs approximately 690 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,800 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 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: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (South Dakota): $49,800 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in South Dakota
How to become a Cosmetologist in South Dakota? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through South Dakota Cosmetology Commission.
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 South Dakota Cosmetology Commission.
Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota credentials this role through South Dakota Cosmetology Commission 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in South Dakota is $49,800 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,090 and experienced professionals can earn $61,900 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in South Dakota
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with South Dakota Cosmetology Commission. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets South Dakota’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with South Dakota Cosmetology Commission; 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 South Dakota Cosmetology Commission uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to South Dakota Cosmetology Commission 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 Dakota
Cosmetologists in South Dakota complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to South Dakota Cosmetology Commission for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See South Dakota Cosmetology Commission 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to South Dakota Cosmetology Commission for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with South Dakota Cosmetology Commission before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 320 | $50,500 | $49,300 | $32,940 | $60,290 |
| Rapid City | 170 | $48,440 | $47,790 | $24,010 | $61,900 |
| Sioux City | 100 | $30,330 | $33,870 | $23,330 | $48,450 |
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 Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 690 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.
How much do cosmetologists earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in South Dakota is $49,800, which is $14,550 above the national median of $35,250 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In South Dakota
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in South Dakota (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in South Dakota
- Best HVAC Schools in South Dakota (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in South Dakota
- Best Plumbing Schools in South Dakota (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in South Dakota
Explore More Trades in South Dakota
- Electrician in South Dakota
- Plumber in South Dakota
- HVAC Technician in South Dakota
- Welder in South Dakota
- Carpenter in South Dakota
- Solar Installation Technician in South Dakota
- Auto Mechanic in South Dakota
- CNC Machinist in South Dakota
- Certified Nursing Assistant in South Dakota
- Medical Assistant in South Dakota
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Cosmetology Commission - Licensing Information: http://dlr.sd.gov/cosmetology/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |