Mississippi is a great place to start a career in hair design! The state is home to many hair schools that can provide the training you need to become a successful stylist. In addition, Mississippi offers a variety of benefits for hairstylists, including a competitive salary, flexible hours, and the opportunity to work with a diverse group of clients.
Whether you’re looking to start your own hair salon or simply want to work as a stylist in an existing one, Mississippi is the perfect place to begin your career in hair design!
Hair Schools in Mississippi
State Requirements for Hairstylist Licensing in Mississippi
To become a cosmetologist in Mississippi, you’ll need to complete a hair school program that is at least 1,500 hours long and is approved by the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology.
The state has a handful of licensing requirements that you’ll need to meet before joining a hair school, including:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Ability to read, write, and speak English
- High school degree or equivalent
Upon completing your training, you will then need to pass a written and practical exam in order to obtain your cosmetology license.
Once you have your license, you will be able to work as a hairstylist, nail technician, or makeup artist in any salon in the state. There are also opportunities to advance your career by becoming an instructor or working in a higher-end salon. No matter what path you choose, a career in cosmetology can be both rewarding and exciting.
How Much Do Mississippi Hair Schools Cost?
The average cost of a cosmetology program in Mississippi is $15,375 according to the website College Tuition Compare. Programs will usually take between 11 and 16 months to complete your required hours, but there are additional fees to consider like books and supplies. Be sure to inquire about whether those are included in your costs before you sign on to a program. If they aren’t included this can add $2,000 or more to your total price tag.
Required Skills and Classes
When you work toward becoming a hairstylist, your beauty school program will need to not only teach you the functional skills of shampooing, conditioning, cutting, styling, curling, straightening, and cutting hair. You’ll also be earning your general cosmetology license, so you’ll be doing a deep dive into other topics as well such as:
- Makeup application
- Manicures
- Hair removal
- Scalp treatments
- Physiology, biology, and chemistry
- Skincare
Beyond these client skills, you’ll also get an education in soft skills and running a business. You’ll get lessons in business ethics, marketing, management, bookkeeping, and more to help you operate a successful hair design business.
State Licensing Exam
After completing your education requirements you can apply to the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology for the two required exams you’ll need to pass. You’ll receive an approval letter and then you can schedule your exams.
There are two exams you’ll need to schedule and pass, the theory exam and the practical exam. The practical skills exam requires you to bring your own supplies and equipment and will test how well you can perform skills like hair cutting, styling, and basics like infection control for clients.
The written theory portion of the exam will test your knowledge of all the subjects covered in your cosmetology program, from scalp analysis to chemical straightening, to Mississippi’s rules and regulations for cosmetologists.
You can schedule your exam via the state board website here.
How Much Do Hairstylists Make in Mississippi?
The average hourly wage for hairstylists in Mississippi is $13.96 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers from May 2021. The average annual salary comes out to $29,040.
Does Mississippi Have Continuing Education Requirements for Hairstylists?
While some states require hairdressers and cosmetologists to earn continuing education credits to maintain their licenses, Mississippi does not. Though, many hairstylists go back to school to learn new techniques and get updated information on safety regulations and legal issues in the state.
You will need to renew your license every two years and pay the current annual fee. You can renew your license online on the state’s website.
Contact Information for Licensing Board
For all questions about licensing requirements, you can contact the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology using the following information.
Website: Mississippi Board of Cosmetology
Email: Online contact form
Phone: (601) 359-1820
