California · Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services

Best Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services institutions in California, ranked by earnings

The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…

Institutions
128
offering CIP 12.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
16,523
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$20,065
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
93
College Scorecard
Median net price
$19,483
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
70%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$49,540
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose
San Jose Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$24,66016195%$19,590$10,376
2San Jose City College
San Jose Public · Certificate degree
$23,25310234%
3MTI College
Sacramento Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$21,37113277%$22,079$10,550
4Institute of Technology
Clovis Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$21,1845673%$24,518$13,341
5Shasta School of Cosmetology
Redding Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,1449678%$25,810
6California College of Barbering and Cosmetology
Stockton Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,06525079%$16,966$9,344
7Paul Mitchell the School - Modesto
Modesto Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$20,06032080%$18,062$7,381
8Hoss Lee Academy
Roseville Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,79713592%$24,798$6,333
9Paul Mitchell the School - North Tahoe
Truckee Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,5235100%$19,323$10,556
10San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc
San Francisco Private for-profit · Certificate degree
$19,00218487%$18,448$10,556

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (SOC 39-5012).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+5.6%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~75,800
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$35,250
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionMonitoring

What Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in California

Jobs in California
21,510
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$49,540
median $39,370
Best-paying metro
$57,700
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Related careers

Manicurists and Pedicurists
$37,520 avg · 37,730 jobs
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
$49,540 avg · 21,510 jobs
Skincare Specialists
$47,010 avg · 13,820 jobs
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
$54,730 avg · 8,940 jobs
Personal Service Managers, All Other
$80,220 avg · 2,310 jobs
Shampooers
$35,640 avg · 1,790 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services programs in California.

Which Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), The Salon Professional Academy - San Jose tops the list at $24,660. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn in California?+

The average annual wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in California is $49,540 (median $39,370), across about 21,510 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program?+

The Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services program prepares students for a diverse career in the beauty and personal care industry. This program is ideal for individuals interested in hair, skin, and nail care, offering various…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, active learning, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists?+

The national job outlook is about +5.6% growth with around 75,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services in other statesNorth DakotaWyomingMinnesotaVermontNew HampshireNebraskaSouth DakotaWashington

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