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Occupation · SOC 39-5012

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

There are 305,710 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $35,790 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Personal Care & ServiceTypical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
305,710
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$35,790
Median pay a year
Middle half: $30,120–$48,830
73,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +7.7%
0
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 354 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $36,120 · LCA filings 027,660$36,1200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $34,260 · LCA filings 012,000$34,2600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $43,500 · LCA filings 010,910$43,5000
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $37,320 · LCA filings 09,960$37,3200
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $37,430 · LCA filings 07,870$37,4300
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $37,020 · LCA filings 07,010$37,0200
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $33,960 · LCA filings 06,630$33,9600
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $36,810 · LCA filings 06,440$36,8100
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $34,640 · LCA filings 05,760$34,6400
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $31,080 · LCA filings 05,480$31,0800

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Corvallis, OREmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$61,8801200
Bellingham, WAEmployment 160 · LCA filings 0$61,8201600
Spokane–Spokane Valley, WAEmployment 570 · LCA filings 0$61,4405700
Kahului–Wailuku, HIEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$60,710800
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 4,510 · LCA filings 0$59,8104,5100

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $42,661 · Level III $51,563 · Level IV $60,445$33,779$42,661$51,563$60,445
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $35,277 · Level III $39,707 · Level IV $44,138$30,846$35,277$39,707$44,138
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $45,344 · Level III $54,205 · Level IV $63,045$36,504$45,344$54,205$63,045
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $36,379 · Level III $43,930 · Level IV $51,459$28,850$36,379$43,930$51,459
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $40,747 · Level III $48,942 · Level IV $57,117$32,573$40,747$48,942$57,117
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $38,792 · Level III $49,254 · Level IV $59,738$28,309$38,792$49,254$59,738
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $33,654 · Level III $39,998 · Level IV $46,342$27,310$33,654$39,998$46,342
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $37,939 · Level III $43,202 · Level IV $48,443$32,698$37,939$43,202$48,443
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $33,259 · Level III $44,533 · Level IV $55,786$22,006$33,259$44,533$55,786
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $33,322 · Level III $41,226 · Level IV $49,150$25,397$33,322$41,226$49,150

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming ServicesCIP 12.04OPT · up to 12 months622OPT · up to 12 months

See Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in every metro area

All 354 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology