BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists in Kentucky

$41,390 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$19.9 per hour

▼ 5.8% below U.S. average29th of 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$41,390per year
Median$29,840per year
Hourly$19.9per hour
10th – 90th percentile$22,580 – $76,170per year

Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists Pay Range in Kentucky

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$22,580
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$26,730
  • 50th Percentile — Median$29,840
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$42,220
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$76,170

Half of Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists in Kentucky earn more than $29,840. The top 10% make $76,170 or more, while entry-level workers start around $22,580.

Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists in Kentucky: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Kentucky ranks 29th of 50 states for Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists pay, at $41,390 per year (5.8% below the U.S. average of $43,960).
  • 2,350 people work as Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists in Kentucky — 0.8% of all U.S. Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.60: Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,580; the top 10% earn over $76,170.
  • Hourly equivalent: $19.9 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $70,320.
  • Among personal services jobs in Kentucky, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($46,580).

Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists Job Market in Kentucky

Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists here earn $41,390 on average, placing the state 29th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $41,390 is roughly equivalent to $49,867 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($42,830), South Carolina ($42,580), Utah ($41,840) are the closest alternatives for Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists salary in Kentucky?

The average Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists salary in Kentucky is $41,390 per year (median $29,840), which is 5.8% below the national average of $43,960.

How does Kentucky rank for Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists pay?

Kentucky ranks 29th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($70,320/yr).

How much do entry-level Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists make in Kentucky?

The lowest-paid 10% of Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists in Kentucky earn about $22,580 per year and the 25th percentile is $26,730.

How much do Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists make per hour in Kentucky?

About $19.9 per hour, based on the $41,390 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists work in Kentucky?

BLS counts 2,350 Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).

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