Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
In Indiana, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $32,830 at the median, or about $15.78 an hour. The range runs from $24K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.81), which stretches that salary to about $35,759 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,144/month, about 50.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Indiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $33K get you in Indiana?
About hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
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What this looks like in Indiana
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists pay in Indiana tracks closely to the national median, $33K locally vs. $36K nationwide, a 8% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,144/month, which is 50.1% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.81 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Indiana
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $24K. Mid-career wages sit at $33K. Top earners bring in $59K or more, a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by metro in Indiana
12 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $34K | +5% | 2,240 |
| Columbus | $31K | -5% | 40 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | $31K | -5% | 220 |
| Muncie | $31K | -6% | 60 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | $31K | -6% | 90 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | $31K | -6% | 310 |
| Bloomington | $30K | -8% | 120 |
| Kokomo | $30K | -8% | 90 |
| Fort Wayne | $30K | -9% | 470 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | $30K | -9% | 100 |
| Evansville | $30K | -10% | 270 |
| Terre Haute | $28K | -14% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 12 metros
Compare to other states
Track hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Indiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Indiana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $33K, rent takes 50.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,144/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 Indiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically earn — is $24K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,433/month. At HUD’s $1,144/month FMR, rent would take 80% 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 Indiana?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $33K locally vs. $36K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Indiana compare to the national average for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Indiana pays $33K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.81), the purchasing-power equivalent is $36K — below the national median.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in Indiana?
The median is $32,830 a year, that works out to about $16 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $23,890, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $58,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $33K enough to live in Indiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,285/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,144/month, which eats 50.1% 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 Indiana?
Indiana has a Regional Price Parity of 91.81 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary is worth about $35,759 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.