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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.
Other titles employers use
Beautician · Cosmetologist · Hair Dresser · Hair Stylist · Hairdresser · Hairstylist · Stylist · Funeral Home Makeup Artist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.7 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.6 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 5.0 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 79%
- High school or less 21%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Operating system software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Accounting software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 60,060
- Job openings each year
- 8,390
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 17.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 60,060 | 8,390 | 17.6% |
| New York | 44,810 | 510 | 12.9% |
| Florida | 42,790 | 5,940 | 13.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 40,650 | 5,590 | 9.3% |
| California | 38,700 | 5,280 | 5.7% |
| New Jersey | 32,450 | 4,510 | 14.5% |
| Washington | 22,530 | 3,340 | 10.7% |
| Ohio | 22,390 | 2,990 | −4.2% |
| Illinois | 21,020 | 2,860 | 3.6% |
| Virginia | 17,990 | 2,480 | 10.4% |
| North Carolina | 16,820 | 2,340 | 16.0% |
| Colorado | 15,830 | 2,190 | 12.0% |
| Arizona | 14,370 | 1,990 | 13.1% |
| Maryland | 13,680 | 1,900 | 13.6% |
| Georgia | 13,440 | 1,860 | 12.7% |
| Wisconsin | 13,260 | 1,850 | 16.4% |
| Tennessee | 12,990 | 1,850 | 30.3% |
| Minnesota | 11,790 | 1,620 | 8.9% |
| Indiana | 11,530 | 1,580 | 7.5% |
| Missouri | 11,190 | 1,510 | 1.8% |
| Michigan | 11,110 | 1,500 | 1.8% |
| Connecticut | 10,190 | 1,420 | 15.7% |
| Alabama | 7,170 | 990 | 11.9% |
| Iowa | 6,780 | 940 | 11.7% |
| Massachusetts | 6,710 | 930 | 11.5% |
| Utah | 6,580 | 940 | 31.1% |
| South Carolina | 6,510 | 900 | 8.9% |
| Oregon | 6,050 | 850 | 23.7% |
| Kentucky | 4,650 | 640 | 6.9% |
| Louisiana | 4,490 | 620 | 7.9% |
| Puerto Rico | 4,400 | 620 | 19.2% |
| Idaho | 4,310 | 610 | 27.1% |
| Oklahoma | 4,270 | 580 | 6.2% |
| Kansas | 4,170 | 570 | 2.2% |
| Nebraska | 3,850 | 530 | 8.5% |
| Rhode Island | 3,740 | 520 | 11.0% |
| Nevada | 3,370 | 470 | 20.4% |
| New Mexico | 3,180 | 440 | 14.8% |
| New Hampshire | 3,100 | 430 | 11.1% |
| Arkansas | 2,760 | 380 | 10.0% |
| Delaware | 2,760 | 380 | 7.0% |
| Maine | 2,470 | 330 | 1.2% |
| Vermont | 1,960 | 270 | 14.0% |
| West Virginia | 1,930 | 260 | −7.7% |
| North Dakota | 1,750 | 240 | 5.4% |
| Montana | 1,720 | 240 | 16.2% |
| Mississippi | 1,710 | 230 | 6.2% |
| South Dakota | 1,690 | 230 | 9.7% |
| District of Columbia | 1,440 | 210 | 33.3% |
| Wyoming | 720 | 100 | 5.9% |
| Guam | 130 | 20 | 62.5% |
Career to college
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