SOC 39-5012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — Owensboro
Owensboro, KY · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Owensboro, KY is $27,890 a year, trailing the national median of $35,790 by 22.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Owensboro, KY is $27,890 a year, trailing the national median of $35,790 by 22.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $26,520 and $36,900. The lowest tenth earn under $22,530, while the highest tenth earn more than $74,380.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Louisville/Jefferson County records the highest median at $33,620. Of the 197 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 184th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,530 | −37.0% |
| 25th | $26,520 | −25.9% |
| Median (50th) | $27,890 | −22.1% |
| 75th | $36,900 | +3.1% |
| 90th | $74,380 | +107.8% |
| Mean | $36,960 | +3.3% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $33,620 | 930 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $29,230 | 530 | |
| 3 | Bowling Green | $28,580 | 100 | |
| 4 | Elizabethtown | $28,390 | 70 | |
| 5 | Paducah | $28,350 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Owensboro run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $27,890 goes as far as $30,920 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,890as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,920US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,890 a year, 22.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,530 to $74,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $33,620.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in Owensboro, KY?
The median annual wage is $27,890, or $13.41 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 Owensboro, KY is 22.1% lower. 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 Owensboro, KY earns more than $74,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,530 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, at $33,620 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Owensboro, KY. 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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