Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
In Boulder, CO, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $48,120 at the median, or about $23.13 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers.
So what does $48K get you in Boulder?
About hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in metros near Boulder, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $37K | , |
| Colorado Springs | $37K | , |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $41K | , |
| Greeley | $44K | , |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boulder, CO
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $60K | +66% | 6,930 |
| Oregon | $58K | +61% | 1,860 |
| District of Columbia | $55K | +52% | 870 |
| South Dakota | $50K | +39% | 690 |
| Vermont | $49K | +36% | 440 |
| Connecticut | $45K | +25% | 4,090 |
| Maine | $44K | +23% | 970 |
| Minnesota | $39K | +9% | 5,320 |
| California | $39K | +8% | 27,080 |
| North Carolina | $38K | +7% | 8,490 |
| Montana | $38K | +6% | 690 |
| New Mexico | $38K | +5% | 1,230 |
| Colorado | $38K | +5% | 6,820 |
| Massachusetts | $37K | +4% | 9,600 |
| Arizona | $37K | +3% | 7,840 |
| Pennsylvania | $37K | +3% | 19,350 |
| Maryland | $36K | +2% | 5,860 |
| Ohio | $36K | +1% | 12,890 |
| Wisconsin | $36K | +1% | 6,260 |
| New Jersey | $36K | +1% | 15,500 |
| New York | $36K | -0% | 20,740 |
| Iowa | $36K | -0% | 2,930 |
| Idaho | $35K | -1% | 2,250 |
| Utah | $35K | -2% | 2,810 |
| Hawaii | $35K | -2% | 930 |
| North Dakota | $35K | -3% | 870 |
| Michigan | $35K | -3% | 8,970 |
| New Hampshire | $35K | -3% | 1,950 |
| Georgia | $35K | -3% | 7,910 |
| West Virginia | $34K | -4% | 1,020 |
| Delaware | $34K | -4% | 1,270 |
| Nebraska | $34K | -4% | 1,890 |
| Illinois | $34K | -5% | 13,190 |
| Nevada | $34K | -5% | 1,940 |
| South Carolina | $34K | -6% | 3,570 |
| Indiana | $33K | -8% | 5,920 |
| Alaska | $32K | -10% | 330 |
| Tennessee | $31K | -13% | 6,080 |
| Rhode Island | $31K | -13% | 1,470 |
| Missouri | $31K | -14% | 5,430 |
| Texas | $31K | -14% | 22,440 |
| Kentucky | $30K | -17% | 2,350 |
| Kansas | $30K | -17% | 2,190 |
| Oklahoma | $30K | -17% | 1,920 |
| Florida | $30K | -17% | 23,530 |
| Wyoming | $29K | -18% | 360 |
| Alabama | $29K | -19% | 3,300 |
| Arkansas | $29K | -19% | 1,410 |
| Mississippi | $28K | -23% | 1,040 |
| Louisiana | $26K | -27% | 2,720 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Boulder numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
What’s the entry-level salary for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Boulder?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,104/month.
Is hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist a high-paying job in Boulder?
Local pay is 34% above the national median — $48K here vs. $36K nationally.
How does Boulder compare to the national average for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Boulder pays $48K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s +34%.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in Boulder, CO?
The median is $48,120 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,060, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $103,430. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Boulder?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,216/month after taxes. Rent data is not available for this area.
How far does a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary go in Boulder?
Boulder has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary is worth about $48,120 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.