Cosmetologist in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Licensed local services
Missouri employs 5,430 cosmetologists, with a statewide median of $30,750 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What Cosmetologists Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $30,750 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $28,600
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $38,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $58,530
- Employed in Missouri
- 5,430
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $36,110 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for cosmetologists in major Missouri markets:
- Springfield
- $31,200 (280 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $30,750 median stretches to roughly $33,866 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to grow cosmetologists employment +1.4%, slower than the +5.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 900 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
Cosmetologist License — regulated by the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners.
- Complete a Missouri-approved cosmetology program (1,500 hours hours) at a licensed cosmetology school. Programs cover hair cutting, coloring, chemical services, skin care basics, nail care basics, cosmetology law, and sanitation.
- Pass the state cosmetology board exam — both the written (theory) and practical (hands-on) components. Most states use the NICS (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) exam or a state-specific exam.
- Apply to Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners for your cosmetologist license. Renew biennially with CE hours. Cosmetologists can work in salons, spas, barber shops, theatrical/film makeup, and as educators once licensed.
Official requirements: Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners →
Training in Missouri
Missouri's cosmetology program takes 9–12 months full-time. The state board administers written and practical exams. St. Louis's diverse neighborhoods (the Hill, South Grand, Clayton corridor) and Kansas City's Country Club Plaza and Westport areas support active upscale salon markets. Missouri's low cost of living makes salon ownership more financially accessible than in coastal states.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Missouri include:
- Academy of Beauty Professionals — Certificate
- Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — Certificate
- Academy of Salon Professionals — Certificate
- Aesthetics Institute — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who are creative, social, and want a licensed practice with real self-employment potential once they build a clientele.
Think twice if: Standing all day, chemical exposure, irregular booth-rental income, and state-mandated training hours of 1,000–1,600 sound like barriers.
Why it's resilient: Hair styling and cosmetology services are built on physical technique and personal client relationships — inherently local and human.
First Steps
Check your state's required hours, compare licensed school costs, and ask about job placement rates before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cosmetologists make in Missouri?
The median wage for cosmetologists in Missouri is $30,750 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $28,600, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $58,530. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Cosmetologist in Missouri?
Cosmetologist License, overseen by the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Complete a Missouri-approved cosmetology program (1,500 hours hours) at a licensed cosmetology school. Programs cover hair cutting, coloring, chemical services, skin care basics, nail care basics, cosmetology law, and sanitation.
Is being a Cosmetologist a good career in Missouri?
Hair styling and cosmetology services are built on physical technique and personal client relationships — inherently local and human.
Which Missouri metros pay cosmetologists the most?
Among Missouri metro areas, Springfield leads at $31,200. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Cosmetologist in Missouri?
Real Missouri options include Academy of Beauty Professionals, Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, Academy of Salon Professionals. Most cosmetologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Cosmetologist a growing career in Missouri?
Missouri projects cosmetologists employment to change +1.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 900 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 39-5012. Licensing summary compiled from the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Missouri wages · Missouri licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.