Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
In Pittsburgh, PA, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $28,260 at the median — $13.59 an hour. The range runs from $22K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.67), which stretches that salary to about $29,851 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,299/month — about 63.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $28K get you in Pittsburgh?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Pittsburgh’s Regional Price Parity (94.67). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pittsburgh, PA
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $22K. Mid-career wages sit at $28K. Top earners bring in $59K or more, a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59K | +67% | 7,410 |
| Hawaii | $52K | +48% | 1,000 |
| Vermont | $50K | +41% | 520 |
| South Dakota | $49K | +39% | 530 |
| Maine | $48K | +38% | 820 |
| District of Columbia | $48K | +36% | 1,010 |
| Massachusetts | $48K | +35% | 9,210 |
| Alaska | $45K | +27% | 240 |
| New Jersey | $44K | +25% | 15,140 |
| Minnesota | $43K | +22% | 5,230 |
| New Hampshire | $42K | +19% | 1,550 |
| California | $39K | +12% | 21,510 |
| Nebraska | $39K | +11% | 1,950 |
| Montana | $38K | +8% | 600 |
| Iowa | $38K | +7% | 2,870 |
| Virginia | $38K | +7% | 9,480 |
| Connecticut | $37K | +5% | 3,920 |
| Wisconsin | $37K | +4% | 6,460 |
| Maryland | $36K | +3% | 5,900 |
| North Carolina | $36K | +3% | 8,720 |
| Oregon | $36K | +1% | 1,900 |
| Michigan | $36K | +1% | 9,010 |
| Arizona | $35K | -0% | 7,760 |
| Utah | $35K | -1% | 3,620 |
| Illinois | $35K | -1% | 13,770 |
| Kansas | $35K | -1% | 2,340 |
| New York | $34K | -4% | 20,300 |
| North Dakota | $34K | -4% | 930 |
| Idaho | $34K | -4% | 1,860 |
| Wyoming | $32K | -8% | 320 |
| Kentucky | $32K | -9% | 2,030 |
| Indiana | $31K | -11% | 6,240 |
| West Virginia | $31K | -12% | 1,040 |
| Delaware | $31K | -12% | 1,340 |
| Georgia | $31K | -13% | 6,850 |
| Oklahoma | $31K | -13% | 1,830 |
| Rhode Island | $31K | -13% | 1,440 |
| Missouri | $30K | -14% | 5,470 |
| Florida | $30K | -16% | 23,220 |
| Nevada | $30K | -16% | 1,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $30K | -16% | 18,630 |
| Alabama | $30K | -16% | 3,170 |
| Ohio | $29K | -16% | 12,730 |
| Tennessee | $29K | -17% | 5,240 |
| South Carolina | $29K | -17% | 3,290 |
| Texas | $28K | -20% | 22,470 |
| Mississippi | $28K | -20% | 910 |
| New Mexico | $28K | -20% | 1,380 |
| Arkansas | $26K | -25% | 1,610 |
| Louisiana | $23K | -33% | 2,390 |
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 Pittsburgh numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median is $28,260 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $21,970, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $59,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $28K enough to live in Pittsburgh?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,990/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,299/month, which eats 65.3% 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 Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has a Regional Price Parity of 94.67 (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 $29,851 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.