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Salary comparison

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants: Who Earns More?

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss out-earn Amusement and Recreation Attendantss by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss land at $35,790 and Amusement and Recreation Attendantss at $32,150. The education gap is real: hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while amusement and recreation attendant programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss is Washington ($59,510); for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss it's Alaska ($45,680).

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Median salary
$35,790
$32,150
Hourly rate
$17.21/hr
$15.46/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$27,040
$22,350
Senior level (90th %)
$71,190
$42,490
Education required
Postsecondary nondegree award
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
305,710
397,830
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Personal Care
Personal Care
Top-paying state
Washington
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists median pay.

State
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Washington
$59,510
$37,790
Oregon
$57,580
$35,400
District of Columbia
$54,570
$37,960
Vermont
$48,650
$35,290
Connecticut
$44,620
$34,860
Maine
$44,000
$35,330
California
$38,660
$37,000
Colorado
$37,690
$35,770
Massachusetts
$37,290
$34,440
Arizona
$36,810
$33,570
Maryland
$36,420
$36,710
New Jersey
$36,150
$34,500
New York
$35,760
$36,300
Hawaii
$35,040
$39,920
Alaska
$32,150
$45,680

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss or Amusement and Recreation Attendantss?

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss earn more nationally. The median is $35,790 for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss versus $32,150 for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Amusement and Recreation Attendants requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss at $59,510/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss earn $59,510 vs. $37,790 for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary breakdownView →Full Amusement and Recreation Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Amusement and Recreation Attendantss by take-home payExplore →How to become a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologistsGuide →How to become a amusement and recreation attendantsGuide →