How to Become a Cosmetologist in West Virginia (2026)
West Virginia employs about 1,020 cosmetologists earning a median $34,480 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 BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS.
Compare Cosmetologist Schools in West Virginia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fred W Eberle Technical Center | 83.4 | Contact school for pricing | $37,621 | 98% | — | 61 mi |
| 2 | Carver Career Center | 70.5 | Contact school for pricing | $33,190 | 92% | — | 29 mi |
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| 3 | Buckeye Hills Career Center | 70.4 | Contact school for pricing | $42,114 | 90% | — | 62 mi |
| 4 | Roane-Jackson Technical Center | 70.0 | Contact school for pricing | $44,022 | 91% | — | 23 mi |
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| 5 | Collins Career Technical Center | 63.7 | Contact school for pricing | $51,897 | 55% | — | 66 mi |
| 6 | Academy of Careers and Technology | 61.2 | Contact school for pricing | $42,573 | 81% | — | 60 mi |
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| 7 | Huntington School of Beauty Culture | 55.5 | Contact school for pricing | $21,075 | 100% | — | 66 mi |
| 8 | Ashland Community and Technical College | 53.8 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $47,467 | 51% | Yes* | 75 mi |
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| 9 | Boone Career and Technical Center | 53.5 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 95% | — | 46 mi |
| 10 | New River Community and Technical College | 42.3 | $5,156 in-state / $9,646 out-of-state | $39,109 | 36% | Yes* | 63 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.
West Virginia employs approximately 1,020 cosmetologists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,480 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 West Virginia, 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: BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS
- Exam: state written and practical exams (often NIC)
- Median wage (West Virginia): $34,480 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Cosmetologist in West Virginia
How to become a Cosmetologist in West Virginia? Complete a board-approved beauty program that meets this state’s hour requirement, written and practical exams, and a practitioner license. Apply through BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS.
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 BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS.
Do I need a license in West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia credentials this role through BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS 3. See the licensing section below.
What do cosmetologists earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in West Virginia is $34,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $23,580 and experienced professionals can earn $60,300 or more 1.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in West Virginia
- Meet board entry rules. Confirm age and education rules with BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS. Do not treat minimum age as years of work experience.
- Complete a board-approved program. Finish a school program that meets West Virginia’s current hour requirement. Confirm the total with BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS; 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 BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS uses (often NIC). Instructor and shop licenses are later rungs, not the first practitioner license.
- Apply for the practitioner license. Apply to BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS 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 West Virginia
Cosmetologists in West Virginia complete board-approved school hours, pass written and practical exams, and apply to BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS for a practitioner license. Hour totals are set by that board. See BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS 3.
Typical path
Meet board entry rules.
Complete a board-approved program for this state’s hours.
Pass written and practical exams.
Apply to BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS for the practitioner license.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS before you enroll.
Cosmetologist Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists wages in West Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 7,010 | $37,020 | $49,360 | $26,900 | $78,900 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 910 | $32,710 | $36,350 | $31,200 | $39,520 |
| Wheeling | 200 | $31,720 | $38,880 | $23,920 | $59,180 |
| Winchester | 180 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Morgantown | 150 | $32,790 | $39,480 | $23,440 | $59,030 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 150 | $32,390 | $40,690 | $23,420 | $62,950 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 140 | $29,580 | $37,560 | $21,880 | $58,250 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | 80 | $30,490 | $38,840 | $24,130 | $58,660 |
| Beckley | 70 | $28,610 | $35,390 | $22,630 | $57,030 |
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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,020 cosmetologists 1. Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a cosmetologist in West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in West Virginia.
How much do cosmetologists earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cosmetologists in West Virginia is $34,480, which is $770 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
BARBERS & COSMETOLOGISTS - Licensing Information: http://www.wvbbc.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) |