Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay in California
In California, the median pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is $18.59 an hour ($38,660 a year). About 27,080 people work in this job there.
That is 8% higher than the U.S. median ($35,790). California ranks 9th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| 25% of workers | $17.60 | $36,600 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.59 | $38,660 |
| 75% of workers | $23.57 | $49,030 |
| 90% of workers | $33.00 | $68,640 |
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $43,500 | 10,910 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $43,410 | 2,030 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $42,400 | 3,370 |
| Napa | $39,610 | 40 |
| Vallejo | $38,640 | 170 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $38,280 | 370 |
| Salinas | $37,970 | 170 |
| Chico | $37,880 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $37,690 | 380 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $37,440 | 500 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $37,380 | 180 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $37,350 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $37,290 | 2,870 |
| Yuba City | $37,180 | 60 |
| Modesto | $36,960 | 320 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $36,900 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $36,780 | 1,800 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $36,760 | 240 |
| Visalia | $36,570 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $36,410 | 2,080 |
| Fresno | $35,880 | 430 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $35,330 | 250 |
| Redding | $34,930 | 70 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +7.7% over ten years, faster than average · about 73,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | $38,440 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 |
| Skincare Specialists | $38,770 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $44,360 |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $77,840 |
| Barbers | $38,380 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $140,870 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.