How Much Does a Hairstylist and Cosmetologist Make in the United States in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in the United States
$39,310/yr ($18.90/hr · $33,624 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$30,660 ($14.74/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$53,080 ($25.52/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,293.23
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$28.35/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $14.74/hr | $30,660 | −$3,986.19 | $26,673.81 | $1,025.92 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $18.90/hr | $39,310 | −$5,685.92 | $33,624.08 | $1,293.23 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $25.52/hr | $53,080 | −$8,391.72 | $44,688.28 | $1,718.78 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($18.52/hr)California ($22.30/hr)Florida ($17.95/hr)New York ($21.92/hr)Illinois ($19.47/hr)Arizona ($18.33/hr)New Jersey ($21.17/hr)Georgia ($18.14/hr)North Carolina ($17.95/hr)Washington ($21.73/hr)Pennsylvania ($18.71/hr)Ohio ($17.77/hr)Nevada ($18.52/hr)Colorado ($20.03/hr)Virginia ($19.84/hr)Massachusetts ($22.11/hr)Michigan ($18.14/hr)Tennessee ($17.39/hr)Indiana ($17.58/hr)Maryland ($20.41/hr)Minnesota ($19.66/hr)Missouri ($17.39/hr)Wisconsin ($18.33/hr)Oregon ($19.84/hr)Connecticut ($20.98/hr)Utah ($18.33/hr)South Carolina ($17.20/hr)Alabama ($16.63/hr)Louisiana ($16.82/hr)Kentucky ($16.82/hr)Oklahoma ($16.82/hr)Kansas ($17.39/hr)Iowa ($17.58/hr)New Mexico ($17.39/hr)Arkansas ($16.44/hr)Mississippi ($16.06/hr)Nebraska ($17.77/hr)Idaho ($17.58/hr)Hawaii ($20.41/hr)New Hampshire ($19.47/hr)Maine ($17.95/hr)Rhode Island ($19.28/hr)Montana ($17.39/hr)Delaware ($19.09/hr)South Dakota ($17.20/hr)North Dakota ($17.95/hr)Alaska ($20.60/hr)Vermont ($18.52/hr)West Virginia ($16.25/hr)Wyoming ($17.95/hr)