Personal Care & Fitness Parkersburg, WV Pop. 29,675

Cosmetologist Salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia

The median cosmetologist salary in Parkersburg, WV is $28,064 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$28,064
vs State Avg
$-1,403
vs National
$-7,016
Cost of Living
80%

Cosmetologist Pay in Parkersburg: What to Expect (2026)

Parkersburg offers a median cosmetologist salary of $28,064, which is $1,403 below the West Virginia state average of $29,467. Compared to the national median of $35,080, Parkersburg pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Parkersburg's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $28,064 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $35,080 in an average-cost city. This makes Parkersburg an attractive option for cosmetologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for cosmetologists in Parkersburg spans from $17,600 at the 10th percentile to $46,400 at the 90th percentile — a $28,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $19,200, while senior cosmetologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $44,000. Parkersburg is a smaller market (pop. 29,675), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Cosmetologist Salary in Parkersburg by Experience

In Parkersburg, an entry-level cosmetologist earns around $19,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $44,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$19,200
$-4,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$28,800
$-7,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$44,000
$-11,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Parkersburg, WV

Percentile Parkersburg
10th Percentile $17,600
25th Percentile $21,600
Median (50th) $28,064
75th Percentile $36,800
90th Percentile $46,400

Cosmetologist Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$31,572
Pop. 30,955
Charleston, WV
$30,870
Pop. 48,006
Huntington, WV
$28,766
Pop. 46,842
Wheeling, WV
$27,362
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Parkersburg

Education

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

Find Cosmetologist Jobs in Parkersburg

Browse open cosmetologist positions in Parkersburg, WV:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cosmetologist Salary in Parkersburg

How much does a Cosmetologist make in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
The median cosmetologist salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia is $28,064 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $35,080. Salaries range from $17,600 (10th percentile) to $46,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Cosmetologist make per hour in Parkersburg? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $28,064, a cosmetologist in Parkersburg earns approximately $13 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Parkersburg compare to the West Virginia state average for cosmetologist pay? ▼
Parkersburg's median cosmetologist salary of $28,064 is 4.8% below the West Virginia state average of $29,467. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Parkersburg, WV? ▼
Parkersburg has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a cosmetologist salary of $28,064 in Parkersburg has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a cosmetologist in Parkersburg? ▼
Most cosmetologist positions in Parkersburg 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.