SOC 39-5012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — Billings
Billings, MT · 2 metro areas compared
In Billings, MT the median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is $40,950 a year, which is 14.4% higher than the national figure of $35,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Billings, MT the median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists is $40,950 a year, which is 14.4% higher than the national figure of $35,790. Half of workers earn between $26,880 and $59,060. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,690 and the ninetieth at $76,240.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.73 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Great Falls leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $42,450. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 271st of 336 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,690 | −36.6% |
| 25th | $26,880 | −24.9% |
| Median (50th) | $40,950 | +14.4% |
| 75th | $59,060 | +65.0% |
| 90th | $76,240 | +113.0% |
| Mean | $43,530 | +21.6% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $42,450 | 60 | |
| 2 | Helena | $38,160 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Billings run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $40,950 goes as far as $43,288 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,288US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,950 a year, 14.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,690 to $76,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Great Falls, at $42,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Billings, MT?
The median annual wage is $40,950, or $19.69 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,790, so pay in Billings, MT is 14.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Billings, MT earns more than $76,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,690 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Great Falls, at $42,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Billings, MT. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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