Agree on the look first
Go over the client's photo and their hair so you agree on the result before you cut.
Career profile
Hairstylist or Cosmetologist
Hairstylists cut, color and style hair to suit the person in the chair.
You turn what a client asks for into a style that suits them. That takes precise hands and working out what "a bit shorter" means.
A day in the life
Cut and blend the sections
Cut the agreed shape with scissors or clippers, checking that each section blends into the next.
Apply color and log it
If your salon does color, brush on the dye and log it for the client's next visit.
Finish and teach the style
Dry and style the hair, then teach the client to redo it at home with a brush.
Reset for the next client
Clean your station and sanitize your scissors and combs before the next client sits down.
Quick facts
Training + state license
United States
$17.21/hour
United States · May 2025
8% projected growth
United States · 2025–2035
Quick orientation
Preparation, pay & outlook
Preparation
Training + state licenseAn approved cosmetology program and licensing exam are the usual route.
Pay
$17.21/hourNational employee median; tips included, self-employment excluded.
Outlook
8% projected growthAbout 73,400 openings annually for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists.
Fit, tradeoffs & changing tools
You might like this if…
- You like precise hand work with a visible result.
- You can listen patiently when someone struggles to explain what they want.
- You enjoy meeting clients throughout the day.
Things to weigh
- You spend much of the shift standing; hair chemicals can irritate skin.
- Busy salon hours often include evenings and weekends.
- When a client dislikes the result, you still have to listen and work through the complaint.
Where AI may help
Some color-consultation tools let clients preview shades on screen and help suggest products.
What people still lead
You assess the actual hair, agree on the service, and carry out the cut or color.
What we can’t predict yet
How much color planning salons will hand to software remains uncertain, especially when a preview and a client's expectations differ.
Pay in context
Earnings
Hours, tips, and whether you work for yourself affect what reaches your pocket.
The national middle and spread
The median was $17.21 an hour, with a reported annual equivalent of $35,790. The 10th and 90th percentiles were $13.00 and $34.23 an hour—$27,040 and $71,190 annually. These describe the wage spread, not beginner and expert pay; part-time work means fewer paid hours.
Workplace pay differs
Hourly medians were $17.39 in personal care services and $14.84 in retail trade.
Owning the salon changes the calculation
Employee wage figures exclude self-employed workers. If you own a salon, sales must cover business costs before becoming personal income.
Openings include replacement hiring
Employment is projected to grow about 8% from 2025 to 2035, with 73,400 openings per year on average. Openings include replacing people who leave the occupation, not just newly created jobs.
Getting started
Complete an approved cosmetology program
- What the route involves
- Combine classroom study with hands-on practice in a state-approved program.
- What it can lead to
- Complete the education needed for the licensing process, then pass the required examination and obtain your license.
- What to check
- Check minimum age, school-entry requirements, training hours, and exam rules with your state board.
Use an approved apprenticeship where available
California: a two-year program with 3,200 work hours and 220 classroom hours.Paid
- What the route involves
- In California, join an approved sponsor, complete pre-apprentice training, and obtain an apprentice license before working with a licensed trainer.
- What it can lead to
- After completing the required training, apply for the written licensing exam. Passing leads to a professional license and ends the apprentice supervision requirement.
- What to check
- California applicants must be at least 16 and have completed 10th grade or equivalent. You may need to find your own trainer; sponsor fees apply. Other states' routes differ.
Check your state board's requirements before paying for training. Licensing rules vary.
After entry
Career paths
This starts where the entry routes leave off: early work, growing capability, and advancement or specialization.
Get established
Build consistency in everyday cuts and consultations. Use salon training and clear client records to improve from visit to visit.
Deepen your skills
Take advanced classes in a service you want to develop, such as coloring or hairstyling, and broaden the work you can confidently offer.
Support other stylists
An assistant manager or salon manager role adds responsibility for helping other stylists and running the salon.
Where you can work
A salon focused on haircuts
Some franchise salons organize the work around cutting hair, with fellow stylists and ongoing training. Individual franchise owners set employment conditions.
- Indoors
- Physical demands
Your own salon
You choose your schedule but also order supplies, keep business records, and attract clients. Workdays can extend beyond appointments.
- Indoors
- Physical demands
Try it
See whether the job clicks before you commit to the path.
Try a mock consultation with a friend using two hairstyle photos. Ask what they like about each and how much styling they want to do at home. Summarize their request and let them correct you. Notice whether you enjoy turning a vague preference into a clear plan.
Stay safe: Keep this to conversation and photos; do not cut hair or apply chemicals.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. Accessed 2026-10-03.
- O*NET OnLine / U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. National Wages: Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. Accessed 2026-10-03.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational projections and worker characteristics, 2025–35. Accessed 2026-10-03.
- O*NET OnLine. 39-5012.00 — Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists. Accessed 2026-10-03.
- California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Apprenticeship. Accessed 2026-10-03.
- L’Oréal Professionnel. My Hair [iD]: Professional in-salon color consultation. Accessed 2026-10-03.
- Great Clips. Great Clips Careers. Accessed 2026-10-03.