NAICS 611511 Quarterly Industry Report
Cosmetology and Barber Schools
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 611511Sector: Educational Services (61)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Cosmetology and Barber Schools (NAICS 611511) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], state licensing board regulations, and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, education analysts, and business appraisers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the cosmetology and barber schools industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Cosmetology and Barber Schools (NAICS 611511) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in offering training in barbering, hair styling, or cosmetic arts such as makeup or skin care per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. These schools provide the classroom hours and supervised practical experience required for students to qualify for state licensing examinations in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology. Graduates must pass both written and practical examinations administered by their respective state boards before entering professional practice.
Roughly 1,644 establishments employ 17,500 workers and generate $2.1 billion in annual revenue per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] and Census data. Empire Education Group holds the largest market share, followed by Pivot Point Academy, SBS Academy, and Evergreen Beauty and Barber College. Vocational training accounts for 90 percent of industry revenue, with hair cutting and styling courses representing the most popular program enrollments. State-mandated training hour requirements range from 1,000 hours in California to 1,500 hours in Ohio and Georgia.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $11.5 million in average annual receipts. Enrollment demand has been supported by the beauty industry's steady growth and the relatively affordable tuition compared to four-year degree programs. State licensing boards enforce curriculum standards covering health, safety, disinfection, and sanitation procedures, with continuing education requirements for license renewal in most states. Entrepreneurship remains a strong career pathway, as many graduates open independent salons and barbershops within several years of completing their training.
What's Included in This Industry
- Cosmetology licensing program instruction and practical training
- Barbering certification training and state exam preparation
- Hair cutting, styling, and coloring technique instruction
- Esthetics and skin care treatment program delivery
- Nail technology and manicure certification courses
- Makeup artistry and cosmetic application training
- Health, safety, and sanitation curriculum delivery
- Student salon operations and supervised client services
- State licensing examination preparation and testing support
- Continuing education programs for licensed professionals
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Educational Services | 61 |
| Subsector | Educational Services | 611 |
| Industry Group | Technical and Trade Schools | 6115 |
| NAICS Industry | Technical and Trade Schools | 61151 |
| National Industry | Cosmetology and Barber Schools | 611511 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 812111 | Barber Shops | Barber Shops employ graduates of barber schools and drive enrollment demand through workforce turnover and new shop openings, creating a direct employment pipeline from training to professional practice |
| 812112 | Beauty Salons | Beauty Salons hire cosmetology school graduates as their primary labor source, with salon hiring demand and wage levels directly influencing enrollment decisions at cosmetology training programs |
| 812113 | Nail Salons | Nail Salons employ graduates of nail technology programs offered by cosmetology schools, with state licensing requirements ensuring training program demand across geographic markets |
| 611519 | Other Technical and Trade Schools | Other Technical and Trade Schools share the vocational training model with cosmetology schools, competing for career-focused students seeking affordable alternatives to four-year degree programs |
| 611512 | Flight Training | Flight Training schools share the technical and trade school classification and follow similar state and federal regulatory compliance models for specialized vocational program delivery |
| 611710 | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services provide accreditation consulting, curriculum development, and student outcome tracking that cosmetology schools contract for regulatory compliance and program improvement |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 11.6% | 198 |
| 2 | California | 10.8% | 185 |
| 3 | Florida | 6.2% | 105 |
| 4 | Illinois | 4.6% | 79 |
| 5 | Michigan | 4.0% | 68 |
| 6 | Ohio | 3.5% | 60 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.3% | 57 |
| 8 | New York | 3.3% | 57 |
| 9 | Indiana | 2.9% | 50 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 2.6% | 45 |
% Of Establishments
0%
12%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
248
Total SBA Loans
$138.7M
Total Loan Volume
$559K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.11%
Average Interest Rate
3,400
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Cosmetology and Barber Schools (NAICS 611511) has a size standard of $11.5 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[9] support facility buildout, equipment purchases, and curriculum development for qualifying cosmetology school operators. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[11] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 24 | $27.6M | $1.1M |
| 2 | New Millennium Bank | 8 | $21.6M | $2.7M |
| 3 | Hanover Community Bank | 8 | $16.0M | $2.0M |
| 4 | BancFirst | 8 | $9.1M | $1.1M |
| 5 | Security National Bank of Omaha | 8 | $9.0M | $1.1M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for cosmetology schools?
NAICS 611511 covers establishments offering training in barbering, hair styling, cosmetology, skin care, and related cosmetic arts per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
How large is the cosmetology school industry?
What is the SBA size standard for cosmetology schools?
The SBA size standard[7] is $11.5 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting preferences and SBA lending programs.
How many training hours do cosmetology programs require?
State-mandated training hours vary widely, ranging from 1,000 hours in California to 1,500 hours in Ohio and Georgia per respective state licensing board regulations.
What examinations must cosmetology students pass?
Graduates must pass both written and practical examinations administered by their state cosmetology or barber board before receiving licensure to practice professionally per state regulatory requirements.
Who is the largest cosmetology school operator?
Empire Education Group holds the largest market share in the U.S. cosmetology school market, followed by Pivot Point Academy, SBS Academy, and Evergreen Beauty and Barber College per industry tracking data.
Do cosmetology licenses require continuing education?
Most states require continuing education for license renewal, with requirements varying by state. Georgia barbers, for example, must complete 5 hours of continuing education including 3 hours in board-approved health and safety topics per state board regulations[12].
What career paths do cosmetology school graduates pursue?
Graduates typically enter employment at salons and barbershops, with many opening independent businesses within several years of completing their training per Bureau of Labor Statistics[13] career outlook data.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [9]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
- [12]state board regulations sos.ga.gov
- [13]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.