Personal Care & Fitness Wilmington, DE Pop. 70,898

Cosmetologist Salary in Wilmington, Delaware

The median cosmetologist salary in Wilmington, DE is $36,834 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 4.0% above the Delaware state average.

City Median
$36,834
vs State Avg
+$1,403
vs National
+$1,754
Cost of Living
105%

Cosmetologist Pay in Wilmington: What to Expect (2026)

Wilmington offers a median cosmetologist salary of $36,834, which is $1,403 above the Delaware state average of $35,431. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Wilmington pays above average for this role.

Wilmington's cost of living is 105% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for cosmetologists in Wilmington spans from $23,100 at the 10th percentile to $60,900 at the 90th percentile — a $37,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $25,200, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $57,750. Wilmington is a smaller market (pop. 70,898), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Cosmetologist Salary in Wilmington by Experience

In Wilmington, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $25,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $57,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$25,200
+$1,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$37,800
+$1,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$57,750
+$2,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Wilmington, DE

Percentile Wilmington
10th Percentile $23,100
25th Percentile $28,350
Median (50th) $36,834
75th Percentile $48,300
90th Percentile $60,900

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Delaware Cities

Newark, DE
$35,782
Pop. 33,398
Bear, DE
$34,729
Pop. 21,000
Middletown, DE
$34,378
Pop. 22,350
Dover, DE
$33,677
Pop. 39,403

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Wilmington

Education

Most cosmetologist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Wilmington and the surrounding Delaware area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Hair StylingColor TheorySkincareMakeup ApplicationClient RelationsSanitation

Job Outlook

Nationally, cosmetologist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Wilmington may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Wilmington

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Wilmington, DE:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Wilmington

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Wilmington, DE? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Wilmington, Delaware is $36,834 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $23,100 (10th percentile) to $60,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Wilmington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,834, a cosmetologist in Wilmington earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Wilmington compare to the Delaware state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Wilmington's median cosmetologist salary of $36,834 is 4.0% above the Delaware state average of $35,431. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Wilmington, DE? ▼
Wilmington has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $36,834 in Wilmington has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Wilmington? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Wilmington require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Hair Styling, Color Theory, Skincare, Makeup Application. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.