Personal Care & Fitness Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Cosmetologist Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median cosmetologist salary in Iowa City, IA is $33,326 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$33,326
vs State Avg
+$2,105
vs National
$-1,754
Cost of Living
95%

Cosmetologist Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median cosmetologist salary of $33,326, which is $2,105 above the Iowa state average of $31,221. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% 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 Iowa City spans from $20,900 at the 10th percentile to $55,100 at the 90th percentile — a $34,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,800, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $52,250. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Cosmetologist Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $22,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $52,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,800
$-1,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$34,200
$-1,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$52,250
$-2,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $20,900
25th Percentile $25,650
Median (50th) $33,326
75th Percentile $43,700
90th Percentile $55,100

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$32,274
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$30,870
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$30,169
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$29,467
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Iowa City

Education

Most cosmetologist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Iowa City 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 Iowa City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $33,326 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $20,900 (10th percentile) to $55,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $33,326, a cosmetologist in Iowa City earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Iowa City's median cosmetologist salary of $33,326 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $31,221. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $33,326 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Iowa City? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Iowa City 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.