Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for experienced professionals in beauty and grooming, this program equips cosmetologists, barbers, stylists, and nail technicians with the advanced pedagogical skills needed to lead in accredited cosmetology and barbering education environments. It emphasizes mastery of teaching methodologies, curriculum design, and student development, preparing graduates to meet licensing requirements and excel as certified instructors.
- Teaching Principles in Cosmetology Arts and Sciences: Explores foundational theories and best practices for delivering technical and creative instruction in beauty and grooming disciplines.
- Understanding Student Learning Styles: Focuses on identifying diverse learning preferences to enhance engagement and retention in hands-on instructional settings.
- Curriculum Development for Professional Programs: Teaches how to design comprehensive, industry-aligned educational content that meets accreditation and licensure standards.
- Instructional Planning and Delivery: Covers systematic approaches to organizing lesson plans, managing time, and implementing effective teaching sequences.
- Instructional Methods and Educational Aids: Introduces a range of teaching techniques and tools, from visual aids to digital platforms, to support practical learning.
- Student Counseling and Career Development Support: Provides strategies for guiding learners through academic challenges and professional transitions into the workforce.
- Assessment and Test Development: Instructs on creating valid, reliable evaluations that measure skill mastery and program outcomes.
- Classroom and Clinic Management: Builds competencies in maintaining safe, organized, and efficient learning environments for practical training.
Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor degrees, including Barbers and Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 313,560 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbers 39-5011 | $38,960 | $27,770 - $78,440 | 18,100 | $18.73 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists 39-5012 | $35,250 | $24,580 - $70,220 | 295,460 | $16.95 |
Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $25,575 in Arkansas to $75,210 in District of Columbia—a 194% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Iowa. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 313,560 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor is found at Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) (91 graduates), Gateway Technical College (56 graduates), D'Mart Institute (45 graduates), Evergreen Beauty and Barber College, Everett (36 graduates), and Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS), Columbia (35 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 995 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
91 | La Puente, California | Public | hlpae.com |
| Gateway Technical College |
Residency
|
56 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | gtc.edu |
| D'Mart Institute |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
|
45 | Barranquitas, Puerto Rico | Private | dmartpr.com |
| Evergreen Beauty and Barber College |
Other Award
|
36 | Everett, Washington | Private | evergreenbeauty.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Other Award
|
35 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| John Amico School of Hair Design |
Other Award
|
30 | Oak Forest, Illinois | Private | johnamicoschoolofhairdesign.com |
| Networks Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
25 | Calumet City, Illinois | Private | networksbarbercollege.com |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
21 | Aguadilla, Puerto Rico | Private | aguadilla.inter.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School |
Other Award
|
20 | Columbia, Missouri | Private | missouricolumbia.paulmitchell.edu |
| Fred W Eberle Technical Center (FWETC) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
19 | Buckhannon, West Virginia | Public | fetc.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | San German, Puerto Rico | Private | sg.inter.edu |
| Health And Style Institute |
Other Award
|
14 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Private | healthandstyle.edu |
| Larry's Barber College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
14 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | larrysbarbercollege.com |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | bayamon.inter.edu |
| American Beauty College (ABC) |
Other Award
|
12 | West Covina, California | Private | americanbeautycollege.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Barranquitas, Puerto Rico | Private | br.inter.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Other Award
|
12 | San Antonio, Texas | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Franklin Hair Academy School of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
12 | Franklin, Tennessee | Private | franklinhairacademy.com |
| G Skin & Beauty Institute |
Other Award
|
11 | Schaumburg, Illinois | Private | gskinbeautyinstitute.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Fajardo, Puerto Rico | Private | fajardo.inter.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Guayama, Puerto Rico | Private | guayama.inter.edu |
| Avalon Institute |
Other Award
|
11 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Private | avalon.edu |
| Georgia Career Institute (GCI) |
Other Award
|
10 | Conyers, Georgia | Private | gci.edu |
| Academy of Hair Design (AHD) |
Other Award
|
10 | Lufkin, Texas | Private | lufkinhairdesign.com |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
10 | Hooksett, New Hampshire | Private | empirebeautyschools.com |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | tricociuniversity.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Other Award
|
9 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Avalon Institute |
Other Award
|
8 | Mesa, Arizona | Private | avalon.edu |
| Career Academy of Hair Design |
Other Award
|
8 | Springdale, Arkansas | Private | beautynwa.com |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
8 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Private | empire.edu |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
8 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | empire.edu |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
8 | Springfield, Pennsylvania | Private | empire.edu |
| Avalon Institute |
Other Award
|
8 | Layton, Utah | Private | avalon.edu |
| Shore Beauty School |
Other Award
|
7 | Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey | Private | shorebeautyschool.edu |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
7 | Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania | Private | empire.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Other Award
|
7 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | tcatmurfreesboro.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest (TCAT) |
Other Award
|
7 | Newbern, Tennessee | Public | tcatnorthwest.edu |
| Odessa College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
7 | Odessa, Texas | Public | odessa.edu |
| Asher Institute of Hampton |
Other Award
|
7 | Hampton, Virginia | Private | aiofhampton.edu |
| Rosel School of Cosmetology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
7 | Niles, Illinois | Private | roselschool.org |
| Graduate America College (GAC) |
Other Award
|
7 | Garland, Texas | Private | ibc3.edu |
| Avi Career Training |
Other Award
|
7 | Great Falls, Virginia | Private | avicareertraining.com |
| Tooele Technical College (TTECH) |
Residency
|
7 | Tooele, Utah | Public | tooeletech.edu |
| Winonah's International School of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
7 | Hoover, Alabama | Private | winonah.net |
| Houston Barber School |
Other Award
|
7 | Houston, Texas | Private | htxbarberschool.com |
| Arkansas Technical School |
Other Award
|
6 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Private | arktech.edu |
| Hilltop Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Daly City, California | Private | hilltopbeautyschool.com |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Other Award
|
6 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| Cosmetology & Spa Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Crystal Lake, Illinois | Private | cosmetologyandspaacademy.edu |
| Tricoci University of Beauty Culture |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Highland, Indiana | Private | tricociuniversity.edu |
| PJ's College of Cosmetology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Clarksville, Indiana | Private | gotopjs.com |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | empire.edu |
| David Pressley School of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
6 | Royal Oak, Michigan | Private | davidpressleyschool.com |
| Parisian Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Hackensack, New Jersey | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Butler Beauty Academy |
Other Award
|
6 | Butler, Pennsylvania | Private | beautyacademies.net |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Moosic, Pennsylvania | Private | empire.edu |
| Lancaster School of Cosmetology & Therapeutic Bodywork |
Other Award
|
6 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Private | lancasterschoolofcosmetology.com |
| Tennessee School of Beauty of Knoxville Inc |
Other Award
|
6 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Private | tennesseeschoolofbeauty.edu |
| P&A Scholars Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | pandascholars.com |
| Crave Beauty Academy |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | cravebeautyacademy.com |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Kennesaw, Georgia | Private | empire.edu |
| Milan Institute of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
6 | Reno, Nevada | Private | milaninstitute.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School |
Other Award
|
6 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| L'esprit Academy |
Other Award
|
6 | Canton, Michigan | Private | lespritacademy.com |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Morrow, Georgia | Private | empire.edu |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
6 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | empire.edu |
| Innovate Salon Academy (ISA) |
Other Award
|
6 | Brick Township, New Jersey | Private | innovatesalonacademy.com |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
5 | Tucson, Arizona | Private | empire.edu |
| Professional Institute of Beauty (PIB) |
Other Award
|
5 | El Monte, California | Private | pib.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (TRU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| PJ's College of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
5 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Private | gotopjs.com |
| Olympian Academy of Cosmetology |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | LAS CRUCES, New Mexico | Private | olympianacademy.edu |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
5 | Whitehall, Pennsylvania | Private | empire.edu |
| Great Lakes Institute of Technology (GLIT) |
Other Award
|
5 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | glit.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Other Award
|
5 | Richland, Washington | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Ms Roberts Academy of Beauty Culture |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
5 | Hillside, Illinois | Private | msroberts-academy.com |
| Queen City College |
Other Award
|
5 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Private | queencitycollege.com |
| Asian-American International Beauty College (AAIBC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Westminster, California | Private | aabeautycollege.com |
| Stephanie Moss Academy |
Other Award
|
5 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | xenonacademy.net |
| KaiStar |
Other Award
|
5 | Federal Way, Washington | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Shawnee Beauty College |
Other Award
|
5 | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Private | shawneebeautycollege.com |
| Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Other Award
|
5 | Roswell, Georgia | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School (PMTS) |
Residency
Other Award
|
5 | Newark, Delaware | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Capilo School of Hair Design |
Other Award
|
5 | Augusta, Maine | Private | capilo.com |
| Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology |
Other Award
|
5 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | fountainofyouthacademy.edu |
| Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics |
Other Award
|
5 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | entouragebeautyne.com |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
4 | Chandler, Arizona | Private | empire.edu |
| Arkansas Beauty School |
Other Award
|
4 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Private | arbs.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School |
Other Award
|
4 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| Paul Mitchell the School |
Other Award
|
4 | Lexington, Kentucky | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
| LaSalle Tech |
Other Award
|
4 | Houma, Louisiana | Private | lasalletech.edu |
| House of Heavilin Beauty College |
Other Award
|
4 | Blue Springs, Missouri | Private | kc-hair.com |
| International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy (ISSNMT) |
Other Award
|
4 | Sandy Springs, Georgia | Private | issnmtschool.com |
| Kiamichi Technology Center (KTC) |
Other Award
|
4 | McAlester, Oklahoma | Public | ktc.edu |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
4 | Monroeville, Pennsylvania | Private | empire.edu |
| Empire Beauty School |
Other Award
|
4 | Avondale, Arizona | Private | empire.edu |
| Clary Sage College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | clarysagecollege.com |
| Paul Mitchell the School |
Other Award
|
4 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Private | paulmitchell.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor programs
How much can I earn with a Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor degree?
Salaries for Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor graduates vary by role and location. Barbers earn a median of $38,960 annually, while Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earn around $35,250. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $75,210 compared to $25,575 in Arkansas. Approximately 313,560 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor programs?
Currently 349 accredited institutions offer Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Hacienda La Puente Adult Education (HLPAE) (91 graduates), Gateway Technical College (56 graduates), and D'Mart Institute (45 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 2,481 in 2010 to 1,436 in 2023-24. This represents a 42% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Cosmetology and Barber Styling Instructor degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Barbers, Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, . Related occupations employ approximately 313,560 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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