Cosmetologist Apprenticeships in Tennessee
Tennessee has 10 registered apprenticeship sponsors training cosmetologists. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
10
Union / joint programs
0
Median cosmetologist wage
$29,170
Tennessee, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+30.3%
1,850 openings/yr
Largest Registered Sponsors
Union and joint labor-management programs are listed first — they typically pay the best apprentice rates and charge no tuition.
| Sponsor | City | Program type |
|---|---|---|
| A Natural Affair Inc. | Memphis | Single Employer |
| Black Girl Beauty School of Careers | Union City | Single Employer |
| Dee-Nu-Tall Generations LLC | Memphis | Single Employer |
| G.I. APPRENTICE INC | Cordova | Multiple Employer |
| Hair Expressions | Bolivar | Single Employer |
| Live Loxx, LLC | Cookeville | Single Employer |
| Lynn's Academy of Barbering and Cosmetology | Memphis | Single Employer |
| MID-SOUTH COSMETOLOGY AND BARBER ASSOCIATION | MEMPHIS | Multiple Employer |
| My Father's Mustache | Cookeville | Single Employer |
| The Memphis Skin Academy | Bartlett | Multiple Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Cosmetologists Earn in Tennessee
Wages
- Median annual wage: $29,170
- Average annual wage: $38,830
- Cosmetologists employed statewide: 5,240
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. Apprentices typically start at 40–50% of the journeyman rate and get scheduled raises.
10-year outlook
- Projected growth 2022–2032: +30.3%
- Average openings per year: 1,850
- Employment: 9,970 → 12,990
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.
Prefer the school route? Compare Cosmetologist programs
Tennessee Licensing for Cosmetologists
COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
TN BEAUTY PAGEANT OPERATOR
- Education: Degree required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
MASTER BARBER INSTRUCTOR
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
MASTER BARBER INSTRUCTOR'S ASSISTANT
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
BARBER TECHNICIAN
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
COSMETOLOGIST
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
ELECTROLOGIST
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Health
MASTER BARBER
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
NATURAL HAIR STYLIST
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Department of Commerce and Insurance
HAIR BRAIDER
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Source: CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor). Time spent in a registered apprenticeship generally counts toward license experience requirements.