Personal Care & Fitness Cedar Rapids, IA Pop. 137,710

Cosmetologist Salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The median cosmetologist salary in Cedar Rapids, IA is $30,870 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$30,870
vs State Avg
$-351
vs National
$-4,210
Cost of Living
88%

Cosmetologist Pay in Cedar Rapids: What to Expect (2026)

Cedar Rapids offers a median cosmetologist salary of $30,870, which is $351 below the Iowa state average of $31,221. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Cedar Rapids pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cedar Rapids's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $30,870 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $35,080 in an average-cost city. This makes Cedar Rapids an attractive option for cosmetologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for cosmetologists in Cedar Rapids spans from $19,360 at the 10th percentile to $51,040 at the 90th percentile — a $31,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $21,120, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $48,400. With a population of 137,710, Cedar Rapids is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Cosmetologist Salary in Cedar Rapids by Experience

In Cedar Rapids, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $21,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $48,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$21,120
$-2,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$31,680
$-4,320 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$48,400
$-6,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cedar Rapids, IA

Percentile Cedar Rapids
10th Percentile $19,360
25th Percentile $23,760
Median (50th) $30,870
75th Percentile $40,480
90th Percentile $51,040

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$33,326
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$32,274
Pop. 214,133
Davenport, IA
$30,169
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$29,467
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Cedar Rapids

Education

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

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Cedar Rapids

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Cedar Rapids, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Cedar Rapids

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is $30,870 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $19,360 (10th percentile) to $51,040 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $30,870, a cosmetologist in Cedar Rapids earns approximately $15 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cedar Rapids compare to the Iowa state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Cedar Rapids's median cosmetologist salary of $30,870 is 1.1% below the Iowa state average of $31,221. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cedar Rapids, IA? ▼
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $30,870 in Cedar Rapids has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Cedar Rapids? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Cedar Rapids 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.