Idaho Hair School and Requirements

Idaho hairstylists need to get a cosmetology or barber-stylist license to practice. But which license is right for you? Here, you can learn about your Idaho hair license options and potential salary.

Browse our directory of hair design schools in Idaho, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair design licensing requirements and job outlook.

Idaho Hairstylist Licenses: Which Is Right for You?

Idaho has two wide-reaching hair licenses: Cosmetology and barber-stylist. Both licenses let you do all sorts of hair treatments, including cutting, designing, dyeing, and chemically straightening and curling. They differ in other areas. For instance, barber-stylists can work on facial hair, while cosmetologists can work on nails and skin. Plus, barbers are more likely to work on short hair and men, while cosmetologists work more often on long hair and people of all genders.

Cosmetology school in Idaho lasts 1,600 hours, and an apprenticeship is 3,200 hours. Barber-stylist programs are 1,500 hours, and apprenticeships are 3,000 hours.

READ MORE: Learn About Idaho Cosmetology School

READ MORE: Learn About Idaho Barber School

Regardless of which route you take, you can consider taking some continuing education courses in the hair school topics that interest you most. This could allow you to provide new services or advertise your unique skills, possibly attracting extra clients.

Idaho Hairstylist Salary

As of 2022, the average Idaho hairstylist or cosmetologist earned $34,410 per year ($15.10 per hour). This amount doesn't include self-employed cosmetologists, so if you plan to do that, you should talk to a current stylist in that position to get more specifics. You also need to consider location, type of workplace, and years of experience when you figure out your unique salary possibilities.

Contact the Idaho State Board of Cosmetology