Washington, DC Cosmetologist Salary

District of Columbia’s reputation for providing cosmetologists with ample employment opportunities and high paying jobs continues to attract personal care professionals from surrounding areas.

In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics named DC as the highest paying metropolitan area for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in the nation. In addition, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan district had the fifth highest number of licensed cosmetologists in the United States.

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Current Average Cosmetologist Salary in DC

The latest wage reports released by the DC Department of Employment Services show that hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan district earn an average salary of $28,880/yr. Since tipping is standard practice, take home pay may be as much as 25 percent higher than this.

In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found cosmetology professionals working in DC were earning highly varient salaries based on earning percentile:

  • 10th Percentile: $18,400/yr.
  • 25th Percentile: $20,300/yr.
  • Median Percentile: $35,000/yr.
  • 75th Percentile: $46,800/yr.
  • 90th Percentile: $73,700/yr.

Current Average Manicurist Salary in DC

Some cosmetologist may choose to specialize as manicurists, or nail technicians. These professionals must obtain a cosmetology license in addition to a manicurist specialist license from the Board of Barber and Cosmetology.

The latest wage statistics provided by DC Department of Employment Services show that manicurists employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan district earn an average salary of $21,330/yr.

Regional Pay Statistics for Cosmetologists in DC

In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics published regional pay statistics for cosmetologists in DC:

Area name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division
6970
36200
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV
9070
35500

Regional Pay Statistics for Nail Technicians in DC

In 2013, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics published regional pay statistics for manicurists in DC:

Area name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division
1090
24250
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV
1610
25150

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