Healthcare trades
cosmetologist salary in Colorado
The median cosmetologist in Colorado earns $37,690 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 5% above the national median of $35,790, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $98,860.
STATE MEDIAN
$37,690
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$98,860
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
6,820
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
+5%
Above national median
What do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn in Colorado?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$31,520
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$35,330
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$37,690
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$59,710
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$98,860
Top earning range
How does Colorado compare to national earnings?
Colorado pays 5% above the national median for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. That can create more room for training debt, but only if program cost stays controlled and the wage premium holds in the part of the state where you plan to work.
Colorado
$37,690
State median annual wage
National median
$35,790
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a cosmetologist in Colorado?
In Colorado, most hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists start through community college, certificate programs, and employer-linked clinical or salon training. Compare tuition, required hours, licensing steps, and how quickly the program gets you into paid work. Colorado typically regulates cosmetology training hours and the state licensure exam. Program length, required hours, and apprentice options vary by state board.
Lowest debt path
Apprenticeship, community college, or employer-sponsored training usually keeps borrowing pressure lowest. That matters more than raw starting pay if you are comparing a free path against a private program.
What to verify before enrolling
Check tuition, licensing hours, exam pass rates, employer placement, and how quickly the program gets you to a paid job in Colorado.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Colorado?
The 8% rule says a monthly student loan payment should ideally stay below 8% of gross monthly income.
For a community college style path with an illustrative $10,000 of training debt, a simple 10-year repayment schedule lands near $83 a month. Against a median gross monthly income of $3,141 in Colorado, that works out to about 2.6%.
This is an illustrative midpoint between a free apprenticeship path and a higher-cost private program. Your exact result depends on tuition, grants, and how long you stay in school.
What else should you read next?
Healthcare trades guide
Read the full healthcare trades guide for training paths, debt ranges, and employer context.
cosmetologist salary in Texas
Compare this trade in Texas against Colorado.
dental hygienist salary in Colorado
See how a related trade in the same cluster pays in the same state.
Trade comparison methodology
See how CollegeLens sources BLS wages, training-cost ranges, and debt-to-income examples.
Common questions about cosmetologist pay in Colorado
What is the average cosmetologist salary in Colorado?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $37,690 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Colorado, with the top 10% above $98,860.
Is cosmetologist a good career in Colorado?
Colorado currently has 6,820 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $37,690.
How do you become a cosmetologist in Colorado?
In Colorado, most hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists start through community college, certificate programs, and employer-linked clinical or salon training. Compare tuition, required hours, licensing steps, and how quickly the program gets you into paid work. Colorado typically regulates cosmetology training hours and the state licensure exam. Program length, required hours, and apprentice options vary by state board.
Where does Colorado rank for cosmetologist earnings?
Colorado is above the national median for this trade. State median: $37,690. National median: $35,790.
What does cosmetologist training cost in Colorado?
Training cost depends on the path. Apprenticeship can be near $0 out of pocket while you earn. Community college programs often land in the low thousands. Private trade school and certificate routes can be much higher. Always compare program cost against expected earnings in Colorado.