Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay in California
$48,290avg. a year
$23.22 an hour · 27,080 employed
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in California earn an average of $48,290 a year. That is $4,330 (10%) more than the U.S. average of $43,960. The best-paying metro area is Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at $54,290.
$38,660Median pay
$23.22Average hourly
+30%Avg. pay since 2020
#12Of 49 states + D.C.
Top-paying California metro areas
Average pay for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists by metro area. Swipe to see all 23.
110,910 jobs
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$54,290
$26.10 an hour
22,030 jobs
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$47,010
$22.60 an hour
340 jobs
Napa, CA
$46,900
$22.55 an hour
4170 jobs
Salinas, CA
$46,560
$22.38 an hour
53,370 jobs
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$45,950
$22.09 an hour
6370 jobs
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
$45,490
$21.87 an hour
7180 jobs
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
$45,400
$21.83 an hour
8380 jobs
Stockton-Lodi, CA
$45,000
$21.64 an hour
960 jobs
Yuba City, CA
$44,930
$21.60 an hour
102,870 jobs
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
$44,890
$21.58 an hour
11170 jobs
Vallejo, CA
$44,750
$21.52 an hour
12320 jobs
Modesto, CA
$43,470
$20.90 an hour
13240 jobs
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
$43,020
$20.69 an hour
14500 jobs
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
$42,580
$20.47 an hour
15120 jobs
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA
$42,520
$20.44 an hour
1660 jobs
Chico, CA
$42,320
$20.35 an hour
171,800 jobs
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
$41,870
$20.13 an hour
1870 jobs
Redding, CA
$41,650
$20.02 an hour
1950 jobs
Hanford-Corcoran, CA
$41,110
$19.77 an hour
20430 jobs
Fresno, CA
$41,080
$19.75 an hour
212,080 jobs
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
$41,030
$19.73 an hour
22120 jobs
Visalia, CA
$40,930
$19.68 an hour
23250 jobs
Bakersfield-Delano, CA
$39,910
$19.19 an hour
Why people trust JobPayFacts
Official government dataEvery number comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey of employers, not self-reported salaries.
Every state and city830 jobs across all 50 states, D.C. and 199 large metro areas.
Updated every yearNew figures each spring when BLS releases them. This site uses May 2025 data.
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists pay in California, charted
Pay over time
California, annual wage, May of each year
AverageMedian
Where California hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists work
Employment by metro area, May 2025
Average pay by state
May 2025 · California highlighted · tap a state
AKMEWIVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILMINYMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTRICAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL
Under $39k$39k–$43k$43k–$48k$48k+California
California vs. neighbors
Average pay, May 2025
| Area | Avg. pay | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $43,960 | $21.13 |
| California | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Oregon | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Arizona | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Nevada | $38,830 | $18.67 |
Related jobs in California
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$39,730
- Skincare Specialists$49,910
- Childcare Workers$42,790
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$38,580
- Recreation Workers$43,530
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$62,890
Average pay, California, May 2025
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
Questions and answers
How much do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists make in California?
The average is $48,290 a year, and the median is $38,660. That is $4,330 (10%) more than the U.S. average of $43,960.
What is the hourly wage in California?
$23.22 an hour on average; the median is $18.59.
Where in California do they earn the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($54,290), followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,010). The lowest average among 23 metro areas with data is Bakersfield-Delano, CA ($39,910).
How does California rank?
California ranks #12 of 50 states (including D.C.) with published data for this job, by average pay.
Sources and notes. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 (trend: May 2020–May 2025), occupation code 39-5012. State rank compares average pay across states with published data. Metro figures cover metropolitan statistical areas; a metro area can cross state lines. See also the national hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists page. Wages are gross pay before taxes and don't include overtime premiums, tips, bonuses or benefits; self-employed workers aren't included. Year-to-year changes can partly reflect survey method changes, so treat the trend as a guide. How we use the data. JobPayFacts isn't affiliated with BLS.