Personal Care & Fitness Greenville, SC Pop. 72,095

Cosmetologist Salary in Greenville, South Carolina

The median cosmetologist salary in Greenville, SC is $32,274 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.4% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$32,274
vs State Avg
+$1,053
vs National
$-2,806
Cost of Living
92%

Cosmetologist Pay in Greenville: What to Expect (2026)

Greenville offers a median cosmetologist salary of $32,274, which is $1,053 above the South Carolina state average of $31,221. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Greenville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Greenville's cost of living is 92% 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 Greenville spans from $20,240 at the 10th percentile to $53,360 at the 90th percentile — a $33,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,080, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $50,600. Greenville is a smaller market (pop. 72,095), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Cosmetologist Salary in Greenville by Experience

In Greenville, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $22,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $50,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,080
$-1,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$33,120
$-2,880 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$50,600
$-4,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Greenville, SC

Percentile Greenville
10th Percentile $20,240
25th Percentile $24,840
Median (50th) $32,274
75th Percentile $42,320
90th Percentile $53,360

Cosmetologist Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$36,834
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$35,080
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$33,326
Pop. 115,382
Columbia, SC
$31,572
Pop. 131,674

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Greenville

Education

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

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Greenville

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Greenville, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Greenville

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Greenville, SC? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Greenville, South Carolina is $32,274 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $20,240 (10th percentile) to $53,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Greenville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,274, a cosmetologist in Greenville earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Greenville compare to the South Carolina state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Greenville's median cosmetologist salary of $32,274 is 3.4% above the South Carolina state average of $31,221. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Greenville, SC? ▼
Greenville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $32,274 in Greenville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Greenville? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Greenville 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.