Personal Care & Fitness South Portland, ME Pop. 25,665

Cosmetologist Salary in South Portland, Maine

The median cosmetologist salary in South Portland, ME is $36,834 per year, which is 5.0% above the national median and 7.1% above the Maine state average.

City Median
$36,834
vs State Avg
+$2,456
vs National
+$1,754
Cost of Living
105%

Cosmetologist Pay in South Portland: What to Expect (2026)

South Portland offers a median cosmetologist salary of $36,834, which is $2,456 above the Maine state average of $34,378. Compared to the national median of $35,080, South Portland pays above average for this role.

South Portland'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 South Portland 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. South Portland is a smaller market (pop. 25,665), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Cosmetologist Salary in South Portland by Experience

In South Portland, 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 South Portland, ME

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

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Maine Cities

Portland, ME
$37,886
Pop. 68,408
Bangor, ME
$32,274
Pop. 32,029
Lewiston, ME
$31,572
Pop. 37,121
Auburn, ME
$31,221
Pop. 23,926

How to Become a Cosmetologist in South Portland

Education

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

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in South Portland

Browse open cosmetologist positions in South Portland, ME:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in South Portland

How much does a Cosmetologist make in South Portland, ME? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in South Portland, Maine 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 South Portland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $36,834, a cosmetologist in South Portland earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does South Portland compare to the Maine state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
South Portland's median cosmetologist salary of $36,834 is 7.1% above the Maine state average of $34,378. The local cost of living index is 105% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in South Portland, ME? ▼
South Portland has a cost of living index of 105% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $36,834 in South Portland has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in South Portland? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in South Portland 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.