CDCareer Decision

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in CA have a median annual salary of $38,660, with 27,080 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $35,360 at the 10th percentile to $68,640 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$38,660

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$18.59

Employment

27,080

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$35,360
10th
$36,600
25th
$38,660
Median
$49,030
75th
$68,640
90th

Local compared with national

CA

$38,660

Median annual · 2025

United States

$35,790

Median annual · 2025

The CA median is 8.0% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,870).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Service OrientationImportance 3.6
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.4
  5. 5.Active LearningImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.0
  9. 9.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  12. 12.WritingImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
None
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Apple iOS
  • Appointment scheduling software
  • Customer information databases
  • Facebook
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • Sale processing software
  • YouTube

Common tasks

  • Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
  • Schedule client appointments.
  • Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
  • Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
  • Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
  • Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
  • Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
  • Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
  • Apply water or setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair, and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair.
  • Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in other locations