Career
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
Cut, color and style hair.
$35,790
Median pay
+7.7%
Job growth, 2025–35
73,400
Openings a year
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education
Under 2 years
Typical time after high school
Here's what you actually need to know.
The work
What people in this job do
- 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.
The outlook
How the forecast changed this year
The deeper question
What kind of person does this path ask you to become?
What this work centers on
O*NET interest profile, scored 1–7.
The work
Do you want most of your days spent on objects & tools, then information & systems?
Responsibility
Are you willing to be the one responsible for this?
“Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.”
Development
What would you need to build over the next 5–10 years?
Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, Critical Thinking.
Trade-offs
What does it ask of you in exchange?
Under 2 years of education after high school (postsecondary nondegree award), for a median of $35,790 a year and 73,400 openings nationally each year.
Paths in
Degrees that lead here
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, GeneralCIP 12.0401
- Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis TechnicianCIP 12.0404
- Make-Up Artist/SpecialistCIP 12.0406
- Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair DesignCIP 12.0407
- Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and TattooingCIP 12.0411
- Salon/Beauty Salon Management/ManagerCIP 12.0412
Paths across
Careers that use similar skills
- Barbers$38,210 · +3.3%
- Skincare Specialists$45,330 · +8.8%
- Shampooers$32,600 · +5.6%
- Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance$97,150 · +6.1%
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$35,760 · +9.2%
Ask anything about this career.
“Would this make sense if I don't want to sit at a desk all day?” Answers will come from the sources on this page, with citations. Coming soon.
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Sources
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2024–34 (archived), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), National Center for O*NET Development / U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk, NCES and BLS. Retrieved 2026-10-01.