Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
In Hawaii, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $35,040 at the median, or about $16.85 an hour. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.17), so that salary is closer to $31,805 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,240/month, about 92.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Hawaii. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $35K get you in Hawaii?
About hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
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What this looks like in Hawaii
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists pay in Hawaii tracks closely to the national median, $35K locally vs. $36K nationwide, a 2% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,240/month, which is 95.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 10% above the national average (BEA RPP 110.17), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hawaii
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $35K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $45K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by metro in Hawaii
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku | $61K | +73% | 80 |
| Urban Honolulu | $31K | -11% | 740 |
Compare to other states
Track hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hawaii numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Hawaii?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $35K, rent takes 95.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,240/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $700/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 Hawaii?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically earn — is $29K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,747/month. At HUD’s $2,240/month FMR, rent would take 128% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist a high-paying job in Hawaii?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $35K locally vs. $36K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Hawaii compare to the national average for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Hawaii pays $35K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 110.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $32K — below the national median.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in Hawaii?
The median is $35,040 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,120, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $73,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $35K enough to live in Hawaii?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,347/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,240/month, which eats 95.4% 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 Hawaii?
Hawaii has a Regional Price Parity of 110.17 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary is worth about $31,805 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.