Personal Care & Fitness Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

Cosmetologist Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median cosmetologist salary in Rockford, IL is $28,766 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 13.7% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$28,766
vs State Avg
$-4,560
vs National
$-6,314
Cost of Living
82%

Cosmetologist Pay in Rockford: What to Expect (2026)

Rockford offers a median cosmetologist salary of $28,766, which is $4,560 below the Illinois state average of $33,326. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $28,766 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $35,080 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for cosmetologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for cosmetologists in Rockford spans from $18,040 at the 10th percentile to $47,560 at the 90th percentile — a $29,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $19,680, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $45,100. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Cosmetologist Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $19,680, while experienced professionals earn up to $45,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$19,680
$-4,320 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$29,520
$-6,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$45,100
$-9,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $18,040
25th Percentile $22,140
Median (50th) $28,766
75th Percentile $37,720
90th Percentile $47,560

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$37,886
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$37,536
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$33,326
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$29,818
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Rockford

Education

Most cosmetologist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Rockford and the surrounding Illinois 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 Rockford may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Rockford

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Rockford

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Rockford, Illinois is $28,766 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $18,040 (10th percentile) to $47,560 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $28,766, a cosmetologist in Rockford earns approximately $14 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Rockford's median cosmetologist salary of $28,766 is 13.7% below the Illinois state average of $33,326. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $28,766 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Rockford? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Rockford 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.