Cosmetologist in North Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$33,870

trending_down -3.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.

engineering

930

Jobs (ND)

monitoring Strong

+5.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$190

Licensing fees

schedule

11-15 months

Time to complete

route How to become a cosmetologist in North Dakota

To become a licensed cosmetologist in North Dakota, applicants must complete 1500 hours of training from a board-approved cosmetology school. They must then pass three examinations: the NIC National Cosmetology Written Exam, the North Dakota Cosmetology Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam, and the North Dakota State Cosmetology Practical Exam. The application fee for an initial license is $50, and licenses must be renewed annually with 4 hours of board-approved continuing education. North Dakota offers reciprocity for out-of-state licensees who meet comparable requirements and pass the state's laws and rules exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $23,100

25th percentile $29,140

50th (median) $33,870

75th percentile $51,140

90th (experienced) $77,630

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist North Dakota requirements

Licensing body	North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology
State license	Required
Education	1500 hours of school training (effective August 1, 2021)
Exam	NIC National Cosmetology Written Exam, North Dakota Cosmetology Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam, and North Dakota State Cosmetology Practical Exam ($140)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	4.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age: 16 years old. High school diploma or GED is required. Background check may be required if charged or convicted of an offense other than a minor traffic violation in the past 5 years.

Source: North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+5.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

75,800

Nationwide per year

Total employment

575,200

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.68/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleNorth Dakota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+5.6%)
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cosmetologist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a cosmetologist in North Dakota? expand_more

The path to cosmetologist licensure in North Dakota: complete the required education (1500 hours of school training (effective August 1, 2021)), pass the NIC National Cosmetology Written Exam, North Dakota Cosmetology Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam, and North Dakota State Cosmetology Practical Exam, and submit your application ($50 fee).

Does North Dakota require cosmetologist licensure? expand_more

North Dakota mandates state licensure for cosmetologists. North Dakota State Board of Cosmetology oversees the process, which includes passing the NIC National Cosmetology Written Exam, North Dakota Cosmetology Laws, Rules, and Regulations Exam, and North Dakota State Cosmetology Practical Exam.

What is the average cosmetologist salary in North Dakota? expand_more

cosmetologists in North Dakota earn a median of $33,870 annually. That's roughly in line with the $35,250 national median. Wages range from $23,100 (10th percentile) up to $77,630 (90th percentile).

How expensive is cosmetologist licensing in North Dakota? expand_more

Between exam fee ($140) and application fee ($50), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.

How quickly can I become a cosmetologist in North Dakota? expand_more

The typical timeline in North Dakota is 11-15 months. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does North Dakota require continuing education for cosmetologists? expand_more

North Dakota requires 4.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your cosmetologist license.