Personal Care & Fitness Helena, MT Pop. 32,315

Cosmetologist Salary in Helena, Montana

The median cosmetologist salary in Helena, MT is $32,975 per year, which is 6% below the national median and 1.1% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$32,975
vs State Avg
$-351
vs National
$-2,105
Cost of Living
94%

Cosmetologist Pay in Helena: What to Expect (2026)

Helena offers a median cosmetologist salary of $32,975, which is $351 below the Montana state average of $33,326. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Helena pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Helena's cost of living is 94% 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 Helena spans from $20,680 at the 10th percentile to $54,520 at the 90th percentile — a $33,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,560, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $51,700. Helena is a smaller market (pop. 32,315), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Cosmetologist Salary in Helena by Experience

In Helena, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $22,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $51,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,560
$-1,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$33,840
$-2,160 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$51,700
$-3,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Helena, MT

Percentile Helena
10th Percentile $20,680
25th Percentile $25,380
Median (50th) $32,975
75th Percentile $43,240
90th Percentile $54,520

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$40,342
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$35,782
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$33,677
Pop. 117,116
Great Falls, MT
$30,870
Pop. 60,442

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Helena

Education

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

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Helena

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Helena, MT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Helena

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Helena, MT? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Helena, Montana is $32,975 per year, which is 6% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $20,680 (10th percentile) to $54,520 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Helena? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,975, a cosmetologist in Helena earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Helena compare to the Montana state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Helena's median cosmetologist salary of $32,975 is 1.1% below the Montana state average of $33,326. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Helena, MT? ▼
Helena has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $32,975 in Helena has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Helena? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Helena 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.