Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May apply makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal, and provide nail and skin care services.

Median Annual Wage: $23,120

Education: Post-secondary certificate (74%); Some college, no degree (20%); High school diploma or equivalent (6%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Cosmetologist; Hairstylist; Hair Stylist; Hairdresser; Barber Stylist; Hair Dresser; Manager Stylist; Nail Technician

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists.

More Personal Care and Service Careers

  • Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.
  • Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
  • Schedule client appointments.
  • Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
  • Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
  • Shampoo, rinse, condition and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
  • Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
  • Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
  • Develop new styles and techniques.
  • Apply water, setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair.
  • Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style.
  • Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax.
  • Administer therapeutic medication and advise patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions.
  • Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment.
  • Shave, trim and shape beards and moustaches.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists.

  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists.

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