Personal Care & Fitness Santa Fe, NM Pop. 87,505

Cosmetologist Salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico

The median cosmetologist salary in Santa Fe, NM is $38,588 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median and 18.3% above the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$38,588
vs State Avg
+$5,964
vs National
+$3,508
Cost of Living
110%

Cosmetologist Pay in Santa Fe: What to Expect (2026)

Santa Fe offers a median cosmetologist salary of $38,588, which is $5,964 above the New Mexico state average of $32,624. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Santa Fe pays above average for this role.

Santa Fe's cost of living is 110% 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 Santa Fe spans from $24,200 at the 10th percentile to $63,800 at the 90th percentile — a $39,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,400, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $60,500. Santa Fe is a smaller market (pop. 87,505), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Cosmetologist Salary in Santa Fe by Experience

In Santa Fe, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $26,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $60,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,400
+$2,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$39,600
+$3,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$60,500
+$5,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Santa Fe, NM

Percentile Santa Fe
10th Percentile $24,200
25th Percentile $29,700
Median (50th) $38,588
75th Percentile $50,600
90th Percentile $63,800

Cosmetologist Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Albuquerque, NM
$33,326
Pop. 564,559
Rio Rancho, NM
$32,274
Pop. 104,046
Las Cruces, NM
$30,870
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$28,766
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Santa Fe

Education

Most cosmetologist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Santa Fe and the surrounding New Mexico 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 Santa Fe may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Santa Fe

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Santa Fe, NM:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Santa Fe

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Santa Fe, New Mexico is $38,588 per year, which is 10.0% above the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $24,200 (10th percentile) to $63,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Santa Fe? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $38,588, a cosmetologist in Santa Fe earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Santa Fe compare to the New Mexico state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Santa Fe's median cosmetologist salary of $38,588 is 18.3% above the New Mexico state average of $32,624. The local cost of living index is 110% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Santa Fe, NM? ▼
Santa Fe has a cost of living index of 110% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $38,588 in Santa Fe has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Santa Fe? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Santa Fe 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.