Healthcare trades
cosmetologist salary in Illinois
The median cosmetologist in Illinois earns $34,040 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 5% below the national median of $35,790, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $58,960.
STATE MEDIAN
$34,040
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$58,960
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
13,190
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
-5%
Below national median
What do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn in Illinois?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$31,200
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$31,200
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$34,040
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$41,110
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$58,960
Top earning range
How does Illinois compare to national earnings?
Illinois pays 5% below the national median for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. That makes cost discipline more important, especially if you are choosing between a free apprenticeship path, a community college certificate, and a private program.
Illinois
$34,040
State median annual wage
National median
$35,790
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a cosmetologist in Illinois?
In Illinois, 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. Illinois 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 Illinois.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Illinois?
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 $2,837 in Illinois, that works out to about 2.9%.
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.
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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 Illinois
What is the average cosmetologist salary in Illinois?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $34,040 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Illinois, with the top 10% above $58,960.
Is cosmetologist a good career in Illinois?
Illinois currently has 13,190 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $34,040.
How do you become a cosmetologist in Illinois?
In Illinois, 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. Illinois typically regulates cosmetology training hours and the state licensure exam. Program length, required hours, and apprentice options vary by state board.
Where does Illinois rank for cosmetologist earnings?
Illinois is below the national median for this trade. State median: $34,040. National median: $35,790.
What does cosmetologist training cost in Illinois?
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 Illinois.