Cosmetologist Apprenticeships in Virginia
Virginia has 553 registered apprenticeship sponsors training cosmetologists. Apprentices earn a wage from day one and finish without tuition debt.
Registered sponsors
553
Union / joint programs
0
Median cosmetologist wage
$37,850
Virginia, all experience levels
Job growth 2022–2032
+10.4%
2,480 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3G Gainesville | Gainesville | Multiple Employer |
| 3G Reston LLC | Reston | Multiple Employer |
| 3G Woodbridge LLC | Woodbridge | Single Employer |
| 414 Salon LLC | Arlington | Single Employer |
| 4B KUTZ LLC-CHAMBERLAYNE AVE | RICHMOND | Single Employer |
| 4 B KUTZ LLC-LABURNUM AVE | Henrico | Single Employer |
| Absolutely Fabulous LLC | Herndon | Single Employer |
| Abstract Natural Hair | Mechanicsville | Single Employer |
| Acclaimed Appearance Hair & Image Studio, Inc. | Williamsburg | Single Employer |
| AC-CUTS GROUP, LLC D/B/A 77 Barbershop | Fredericksburg | Single Employer |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors (apprenticeship.gov).
What Cosmetologists Earn in Virginia
Wages
- Median annual wage: $37,850
- Average annual wage: $49,690
- Cosmetologists employed statewide: 9,480
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: +10.4%
- Average openings per year: 2,480
- Employment: 16,290 → 17,990
Source: Projections Central / state workforce agencies.
Prefer the school route? Compare Cosmetologist programs
Virginia Licensing for Cosmetologists
Barber Individual
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: No experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Barber School License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Barber Shop License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Body Piercer Apprentice License
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: No experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Body Piercing - Ear Only Salon License
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: No experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Body Piercing Salon License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Body-Piercer Ear-Only License (individual)
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Body-Piercer License (individual)
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Cosmetologist License (individual)
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Cosmetology License and Cosmetologist Instructor Certificate
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: Continuing education required
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Cosmetology Salon License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Cosmetology School License
- Education: Undetermined
- Experience: Undetermined
- Exam: Undetermined
- Continuing education: Undetermined
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Permanent Cosmetic Tatooer License, Master
- Education: No education required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo Salon License
- Education: No education required
- Experience: No experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer License
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer License and Instructor Certificate
- Education: No education required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing School License
- Education: No education required
- Experience: No experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Wax Technician License (Individual)
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Wax Technician License and Instructor Certificate
- Education: Specific course required
- Experience: Experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Waxing Salon License
- Education: No education required
- Experience: No experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Waxing School License
- Education: No education required
- Experience: No experience
- Exam: No exam
- Continuing education: No continuing education requirement
Issuing agency: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation · agency website
Source: CareerOneStop License Finder (U.S. Department of Labor). Time spent in a registered apprenticeship generally counts toward license experience requirements.