Cosmetologists are beauty professionals that specialize in the beautification and care of the hair, skin, and nails of clients. A cosmetologist is an expert in cosmetic procedures, cutting and styling hair, hair coloring, manicuring and nail care, skin care and esthetics, makeup application, and other beauty treatments..
Each state has its own Board of Cosmetology and Barbering which licenses cosmetologists. Because cosmetologists work with the public, they must attend a training program with a minimum number of hours and then pass a state exam.
Once licensed, cosmetologists can do a wide variety of jobs within the beauty industry. We’ve compiled a list, in no particular order, of some of the most stable and best paying jobs for licensed cosmetologists.
1 Hair Stylist / Hairdresser
One of the most common jobs for cosmetologists is a hairstylist or hairdresser. If you’re licensed as a cosmetologist, you can do most everything involving hair styling, including cutting, coloring, relaxing, permanent waving, bleaching, trimming, braiding, and texturing hair. Most hairstyling jobs are in a salon, some are at a resort or spa, a few are in entertainment.
Data from Indeed from June 2025[1] shows that hair stylists earned an average of $70,091 per year, and $24.16 per hour in the US. Data from Glassdoor in June 2025[2] showed that the earned a median salary of $69,695 on a base salary of $54,396 with the remainder in extra pay, such as commissions and tips.
2 Skin Care Consultant
Cosmetologists trained in skin care can perform exfoliations, facials, and skin care treatments. This does not include any invasive procedures such as Botox or collagen injections. You can work in med spas, resorts, or holistic skin centers.
According to data from Glassdoor from April 2025[3], the average total pay for skin care specialists nationwide was about $58,817 per year.
3 Hair Colorist
A hair colorist is a cosmetologist that specializes in advanced coloring techniques like highlights, lowlights, color correction, full color dyes, ombre and balayage. Cosmetologists that become colorist specialists must have a good grasp on color theory, knowledge of hair types, advanced experience with chemical processing.
Hair colorists in California earn a median salary of $72,601 per year, according to June 2025 data from Glassdoor[4]. With additional pay such as tips and commissions, this can go even higher.
4 Beauty Products Representative
Some experienced cosmetologists become sales representatives for beauty products, and interact with salon managers, beauty influencers, and retail stores.
According to June 2025 data from Indeed[5] beauty product representatives earned a median annual salary of $72,307.
5 Esthetician
An esthetician provides different skin care solutions, procedures, and treatments to help beautify the skin. Estheticians may work in salons, spas and resorts, and occasionally med spas. An esthetics specialist does exfoliations, facial treatments, wrinkle prevention, anti-again treatments, eyebrow threading, and eyelash extensions (in some salons).
According to June 2025 data from ZipReruiter, estheticians earned a median annual average salary of $58,205 per year and a median hourly wage of $27.98 per hour[6]. In Sacramento in 2025, the median average salary for estheticians was $62,065. And the average hourly wage was about $30 an hour.
6 Performance Makeup Artist
A performance makeup artist typically helps clients look their best for entertainment, fashion, and theater. These types of cosmetologists often work behind the scenes in movies and TV, styling hair and/or applying professional makeup for the cameras, stage performances, or fashion shows.
According to data from ZipRecruiter in June 2025, theatrical makeup artists earn a median average annual salary[7] of $52,605 and earn a median hourly wage of $25.06.
7 Manicurist / Nail Tech
Cosmetologists are also licensed to do nail care, including manicures, pedicures, nail acrylics, nail art, nail polish and gel application, and hand-painted nails. Most nail techs and manicurists work in a nail salon, but you might also work in a resort or spa. If you have an eye for artistry and stay up to date with trends in nail care,you can thrive as a nail tech.
June 2025 data from ZipRecruiter shows nail technicians earn a median annual salary of $43,139 per year in the US [8]. This data shows nail tech in Sacramento earn about $46,000 per year.
Data from Indeed from June 2025[9] shows that nail technicians in California earn a median annual salary of $60,756 and a median hourly wage of $24.13.
8 Barber
Barbers do many of the same things that cosmetologists do, such as cut, style, color, and relax hair. They also can do skin care treatments for the face, scalp, and neck. Unlike cosmetologists, they are also licensed to cut and style facial hair like beards and mustaches. This is a separate license from a cosmetologist licence - some beauty schools offer a combined Cosmetology and Barbering program. A barber typically works in a barber shop, some work in salons, a few travel around the region.
According to data from ZipRecruiter[10] barbers earned an average of about $52,123 a year and $25.06 an hour nationwide in 2025. In Sacramento, barbers earned about $55,580 a year on average and an average hourly wage of $27.00 in 2025.
9 Hair Removal Specialist
Some cosmetologists work as hair removal specialists, using waxing, Brazilian waxing or electrolysis techniques to remove hair at the root. These methods may require additional certification, depending on state regulations. These types of cosmetologists or estheticians might work in a specialty salon, beauty spa, or med spa.
According to to June 2025 data from ZipRecruiter[11], electrolysis and hair removal specialists earn a median annual salary of $44,779 in California, and about $21.53 per hour.
10 Salon Manager
Some cosmetologists with entrepreneurial ambitions become salon managers. This is an expansion of your responsibilities, though you may still see some clients. Your job is more focused on day-to-day operations, finances, sales and marketing, and managing staff. Prior business management experience isn’t mandatory, but can certainly help you succeed in this new role.
According to June 2025 data from Glassdoor[12], a salon manager in the US earned a median annual salary of $57,864 with an average of $38,461 for a total of $96,325 total annual pay.
11 Beauty Instructor
A cosmetology instructor trains subsequent generations of beauty professionals and cosmetologists. This is a position you can attain once you have some experience in the industry, and you’ll need to take an additional course for Cosmetology Teacher Training in most states. Beauty instructors put together a curriculum and help teach the next wave of future beauty professionals, passing down their knowledge and experience.
According to June 2025 data from Glassdoor[13], cosmetology instructors earned a robust total pay and median annual salary in mid 2025.
Remember that salaries can vary depending on your local region and market [14].
Take the First Step Towards Your Cosmetology Career
If you’re motivated to embark on a career in cosmetology, Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento has an excellent Cosmetology training program to help you get the skills you need to get started. In about 30 weeks, you’ll learn about hairstyling, haircutting, hair coloring, skin care, and nail care, and get the knowledge you need to pass the State Board exam and become a fully licensed cosmetologist. For more information on start dates, day and night class schedules, and financial aid, contact our Admissions team or fill out the student Application today!
[1] Indeed, https://www.indeed.com/career/hair-stylist/salaries , Data from June 15, 2025.
[2] Glassdoor, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-hair-stylist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,26.htm , Data from June 21, 2025.
[3] Glassdoor, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/skincare-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm , Data from April 10, 2025.
[4] Glassdoor, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/california-hair-colorist-salary-SRCH_IL.0,10_IS2280_KO11,24.htm , Data from June 14, 2025.
[5] Indeed, https://www.indeed.com/career/products-representative/salaries , Data from June 16, 2025.
[6] ZipRecruiter, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Licensed-Esthetician-Salary , Date from June 14, 2025.
[7] ZipRecruiter, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Theatrical-Makeup-Salary , Data from June 10, 2025.
[8] ZipRecruiter, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Nail-Technician-Salary , Data from June 10, 2025.
[9] Indeed, https://www.indeed.com/career/nail-technician/salaries/CA , Data from June 16, 2025.
[10] ZipRecruiter, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Barber-Salary , Data from June 10, 2025.
[11] ZipRecruiter, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Electrolysis-Hair-Removal-Salary--in-California#Yearly , Data from June 16, 2025.
[12] Glassdoor, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/salon-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm , Data from April 10, 2025.
[13] Glassdoor, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/cosmetology-instructor-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm , Data from June 10, 2025.
[14] Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, formerly known as MTI College, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.