CFChooseField
Personal Care and Service

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
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Median pay

$35,250
Median annual pay for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

75,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

575,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+32,200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education needed to enter Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Sales and Marketing
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Chemistry

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Arm-Hand Steadiness
  3. 3Finger Dexterity
  4. 4Manual Dexterity
  5. 5Oral Comprehension
  6. 6Oral Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Artistic
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Social Orientation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Optimism
  6. 6Empathy

Work activities

  1. 1Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  2. 2Selling or Influencing Others
  3. 3Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  4. 4Assisting and Caring for Others
  5. 5Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  6. 6Thinking Creatively

Work context

  1. 1Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Freedom to Make Decisions
  6. 6Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

Representative tasks

  • Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
  • Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
  • Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
  • Schedule client appointments.
  • Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
  • Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
  • Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
  • Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.

Software and tools

Apple iOS · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyIntuit QuickBooks · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAppointment scheduling softwareCustomer information databasesSale processing softwareYouTube

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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