Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary
In Vermont, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn $48,650 at the median, or about $23.39 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.95), that's roughly $48,192 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,498/month, about 44.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Vermont. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $49K get you in Vermont?
About hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
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What this looks like in Vermont
Vermont sits well above the national pay line for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, local pay runs about 36% higher than the U.S. median of $36K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,498/month, which is 45% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 100.95) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Vermont
Entry-level hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary by metro in Vermont
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | $59K | +21% | 220 |
Compare to other states
Track hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Vermont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Vermont?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $49K, rent takes 45% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,498/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/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 Vermont?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists typically earn — is $31K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,858/month. At HUD’s $1,498/month FMR, rent would take 81% 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 Vermont?
Local pay is 36% above the national median — $49K here vs. $36K nationally.
How does Vermont compare to the national average for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists?
Vermont pays $49K median vs. the U.S. average of $36K — that’s +36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.95), the purchasing-power equivalent is $48K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in Vermont?
The median is $48,650 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,960, and experienced hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists can clear $80,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Vermont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,332/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,498/month, which eats 45% 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 Vermont?
Vermont has a Regional Price Parity of 100.95 (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 $48,192 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.