by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist covers Cosmetology/cosmetologist, General. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Cut, Trim, And Style Scalp, Facial, And Body Hair; Apply Cosmetic Preparations; Perform Manicures And Pedicures; Massage The Head And Extremities; And Prepare For Practice As Licensed Cosmetologists In Specialized Or Full-Service Salons. Includes Instruction In Hair Cutting And Styling, Manicuring, Pedicuring, Facial Treatments, Shampooing, Chemical Applications, Esthetics, Shop Management, Sanitation And Safety, Customer Service, And Applicable Professional And Labor Laws And Regulations. Continue reading for the important information every general cosmetology/cosmetologist major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general cosmetology/cosmetologist programs.
In the U.S., general cosmetology/cosmetologist is a widely-pursued major, with 55,875 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist Schools ranking analyzes these 1,370 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general cosmetology/cosmetologist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general cosmetology/cosmetologist programs later in this article.
Programs in General Cosmetology/Cosmetologist build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a general cosmetology/cosmetologist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general cosmetology/cosmetologist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general cosmetology/cosmetologist degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 49,913 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,008 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,873 |
People currently working in careers related to general cosmetology/cosmetologist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 44.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 32.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 15.0% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.2% |
| Master’s degree | 0.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general cosmetology/cosmetologist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general cosmetology/cosmetologist opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general cosmetology/cosmetologist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general cosmetology/cosmetologist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | 268,468 | 1.6% |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | 253,179 | 6.7% |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | 226,641 | -3.6% |
| Shampooers | 193,543 | 10.8% |
| Skincare Specialists | 23,098 | 0.5% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $17,533 |
| 4 years | $20,210 |
| 5 years | $22,425 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general cosmetology/cosmetologist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general cosmetology/cosmetologist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Skincare Specialists | $60,954 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,017 |
| Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance | $36,599 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $29,229 |
| Shampooers | $26,903 |
With 1,370 different general cosmetology/cosmetologist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general cosmetology/cosmetologist school rankings to help you.
Those considering general cosmetology/cosmetologist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 42,738 |
| Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist | 14,442 |
| Barbering/Barber | 12,398 |
| Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist | 2,901 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Arts, Other | 2,497 |
| Master Aesthetician/Esthetician | 1,882 |
| Cosmetology, Barber/Styling, and Nail Instructor | 1,436 |
| Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design | 1,386 |
| Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager | 514 |
| Make-Up Artist/Specialist | 426 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
