Cosmetology
Personal & Culinary Services · federal classification: Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $25,814 | $21,710 to $29,701 | 1104 | 4% |
| Associate's Degree | $24,040 | $21,599 to $27,769 | 12 | 0% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +7% (2024 to 2034), about 145,700 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,250 | +5.6% | 75,800 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,660 | +7% | 24,800 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,080 | +6.7% | 16,300 |
| Skincare Specialists | $41,560 | +6.7% | 14,500 |
| Barbers | $38,960 | +4.1% | 8,400 |
| Shampooers | $31,470 | +5.5% | 2,700 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.