Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
In South Dakota, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $49,800 at the median, or about $23.94 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $55,401 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 28.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $50K get you in South Dakota?
About hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in South Dakota
South Dakota sits well above the national pay line for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, local pay runs about 39% higher than the U.S. median of $36K. Rent runs $1,017/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, South Dakota
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $62K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by metro in South Dakota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $51K | +1% | 320 |
| Rapid City | $48K | -3% | 170 |
Compare to other states
Track hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Personal Care
Frequently asked questions
Can a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 29% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically earn — is $32K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,925/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 53% 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 South Dakota?
Local pay is 39% above the national median — $50K here vs. $36K nationally.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
South Dakota pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s +39%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $55K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in South Dakota?
The median is $49,800 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,090, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $61,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,504/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 29% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary go in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 89.89 (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 $55,401 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.