New York Cosmetologist Salary

There are approximately 24,590 cosmetologists licensed in New York State, which at 2.85 per 1,000 jobs, has the second highest concentration of hairdressers, hairstylists, nail technicians and skincare specialists in the nation. Cosmetologists are licensed by the New York Department of Licensing Services after completing a 1,000-hour state-approved cosmetology course and successfully passing a state examination which includes both written and practical components. License candidates must be knowledgeable about New York’s Appearance Enhancement License Law.

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Comparison between Cosmetologist Salaries in the U.S. and New York State

U.S.
Mean Annual Salary
$27530
Median Annual Salary
$23140
Annual 10th Percentile
$17010
Annual 90th Percentile
$44220

Since tipping is standard in this industry, take-home earnings are considerably higher than many of the salaries seen here.

There are 44 state-approved cosmetology schools in New York State from which approximately 4,954 students graduate each year to begin a career that the government predicts will enjoy a 10 percent increase in jobs by 2018. According to the results of a 2013 NY Department of Labor (DOL) survey of 213,000 businesses, new graduates seeking employment can expect an entry-level annual salary of $16,920 plus gratuities, while an experienced cosmetologist seeking work can expect an annual salary of around $34,620 plus gratuities.

Additional Salary Data for Cosmetologists in New York

The website Cosmetologypay.com reports New York cosmetologist salaries as

  • Starting Annual Salary – $29,168 to $43,752
  • Average Annual Salary – $36,460 to $52,086
  • Top Annual Salaries – $41,669 to $63,503
  • Starting Hourly Wage – $13.00 to $20.00
  • Average Hourly Wage – $16.00 to $24.00
  • Top Hourly Wage – $19.00 to $28.00

Some hair salons allow cosmetologists to keep their own gratuities while others collect all tips and distribute them equally among the workers. Although many salons pay a base salary, others “rent” a chair to individual cosmetologists who are then effectively self-employed.

The Sky’s the Limit

Cosmetology is one of those careers that have endless possibilities. According to Forbes Magazine, the average salon haircut costs $45; however, celebrities might pay $800 and up for a single styling cut.

New York City is home to some of the highest paid stylists (don’t call them cosmetologists) who generally tend to cater to the entertainment industry. Nonetheless, a talented cosmetologist with excellent people skills can work up a devoted clientele and earn well above the average salary.

Salary Differences between Nonmetropolitan Areas of New York State

Northern
Central
Mean Annual Salary
$19510
$26020
Annual 10thPercentile
$15760
$16030
Annual 50th Percentile
$18060
$19110
Annual 90th Percentile
$28300
$45910
Mean Hourly Wage
$9.38
$12.51
10th Percentile Wage
$7.50
$7.71
50th Percentile Wage
$8.68
$9.19
90th Percentile Wage
$13.60
$22.07

The following table describes BLS salary and wage data for cosmetologists in different metropolitan areas and large cities of New York (2013):

Area name
Employment(1)
Annual mean wage(2)
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
1100
31510
Binghamton NY
210
23490
Buffalo-Niagara Falls NY
1980
20940
Elmira NY
60
20360
Ithaca NY
90
23100
Kingston NY
230
25820
Nassau-Suffolk NY Metropolitan Division
4690
24970
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island NY-NJ-PA
26740
30730
New York-White Plains-Wayne NY-NJ Metropolitan Division
15270
31960
Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown NY
1200
24190
Rochester NY
1540
25460
Syracuse NY
840
21190
Utica-Rome NY
340
21590

This table shows a BLS analysis of salary data for manicurists and pedicurists licensed as nail technicians (2013):

Area name
Employment
Annual mean wage
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
90
23000
Binghamton NY
90
16900
Buffalo-Niagara Falls NY
Not Released
21090
Nassau-Suffolk NY Metropolitan Division
2690
19950
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island NY-NJ-PA
Not Released
19690
New York-White Plains-Wayne NY-NJ Metropolitan Division
Not Released
18160
Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown NY
50
29860
Rochester NY
170
28720

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