Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
In Colorado, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $37,690 at the median, or about $18.12 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $38K get you in Colorado?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $67K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by metro in Colorado
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $48K | +28% | 490 |
| Greeley | $44K | +18% | 210 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $41K | +9% | 560 |
| Colorado Springs | $37K | -3% | 870 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $37K | -3% | 4,150 |
| Grand Junction | $37K | -3% | 170 |
| Pueblo | $33K | -12% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $38K, rent takes 80% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically earn — is $32K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,891/month.
Is hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist a high-paying job in Colorado?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $38K locally vs. $36K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Colorado pays $38K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s +5%.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in Colorado?
The median is $37,690 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,520, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $98,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,555/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 80% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary go in Colorado?
Colorado 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 $37,690 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.