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.
Median pay
$35,790
Growth to 2035
+8%
faster than average
Openings a year
73,400
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists: 19% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.
- Schedule client appointments.
- 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.
- Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
- Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
- Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
- Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
Also called: Beautician · Beauty Specialist · Cosmetologist · Hair Artist · Hair Dresser · Hair Stylist · Hairdresser · Hairstylist
Outlook and AI
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists held 595,000 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 640,900 by 2035 (+8%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Barber
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Skincare specialist
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Shampooer
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Manicurists and pedicurists
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Sewers, hand
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Retail salesperson
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Personal service managers, all other
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists vs. Fashion designer