Personal Care & Fitness Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Cosmetologist Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median cosmetologist salary in Cleveland, OH is $30,169 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$30,169
vs State Avg
$-1,403
vs National
$-4,911
Cost of Living
86%

Cosmetologist Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median cosmetologist salary of $30,169, which is $1,403 below the Ohio state average of $31,572. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $30,169 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $35,080 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for cosmetologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for cosmetologists in Cleveland spans from $18,920 at the 10th percentile to $49,880 at the 90th percentile — a $30,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $20,640, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $47,300. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Cosmetologist Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $20,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $47,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$20,640
$-3,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$30,960
$-5,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$47,300
$-7,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $18,920
25th Percentile $23,220
Median (50th) $30,169
75th Percentile $39,560
90th Percentile $49,880

Cosmetologist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$33,326
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$31,572
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$29,467
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$28,766
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $30,169 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $18,920 (10th percentile) to $49,880 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $30,169, a cosmetologist in Cleveland earns approximately $15 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Cleveland's median cosmetologist salary of $30,169 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $31,572. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $30,169 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Cleveland? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Cleveland 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.