Healthcare trades
cosmetologist salary in Minnesota
The median cosmetologist in Minnesota earns $39,170 a year based on the latest BLS wage release. That is 9% above the national median of $35,790, and the top 10% in the state earns more than $78,880.
STATE MEDIAN
$39,170
Per year, 2025
TOP 10 PERCENT
$78,880
Per year
WORKERS IN STATE
5,320
Reported employment
VS NATIONAL
+9%
Above national median
What do hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists earn in Minnesota?
These percentile cuts show how pay spreads from entry level earnings to top-end specialists in the state.
10TH PERCENTILE
$23,590
Lower end of the pay range
25TH PERCENTILE
$34,620
Early career benchmark
MEDIAN
$39,170
Middle of the market
75TH PERCENTILE
$59,300
Experienced worker benchmark
90TH PERCENTILE
$78,880
Top earning range
How does Minnesota compare to national earnings?
Minnesota pays 9% 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.
Minnesota
$39,170
State median annual wage
National median
$35,790
BLS national median wage
How do you train as a cosmetologist in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, 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. Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
What is the debt-to-income reality in Minnesota?
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 $3,264 in Minnesota, that works out to about 2.5%.
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
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dental hygienist salary in Minnesota
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 Minnesota
What is the average cosmetologist salary in Minnesota?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $39,170 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists in Minnesota, with the top 10% above $78,880.
Is cosmetologist a good career in Minnesota?
Minnesota currently has 5,320 reported jobs in this trade. The path can work well when training cost stays reasonable relative to a median income of $39,170.
How do you become a cosmetologist in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, 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. Minnesota typically regulates cosmetology training hours and the state licensure exam. Program length, required hours, and apprentice options vary by state board.
Where does Minnesota rank for cosmetologist earnings?
Minnesota is above the national median for this trade. State median: $39,170. National median: $35,790.
What does cosmetologist training cost in Minnesota?
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 Minnesota.